Airlines and AviationUnited Arab Emirates

Etihad Airways, Air Europa ink code-share agreement

By Mark Elliott On Jan 21, 2014

TD Guest Writer

Guest Writers are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the specific writer directly

From Left: Alvaro Middelmann, advisor to the chairman of Air Europa, and Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways chief strategy and planning officer, ink the code-share agreement. (Behind left) Mario Hidalgo, vice president Globalia, Abdul Qader Hussein Ahmed, Etihad Airways vice president government and international affairs, Khaled Al Mehairbi, Etihad Airways senior vice president government and aeropolitical affairs, Imanol Pérez, Air Europa director of alliances, and John Shepley, Etihad Airways senior vice president network management

Etihad Airways and Air Europa recently inked a code-share agreement, thereby enhancing access to and from Spain, UAE and to global destinations.

As per the agreement and subject to regulatory approvals, Air Europa plans to commence a three times a week direct service between Madrid and Abu Dhabi in late 2014. Etihad Airways will place its EY flight code on the new Airbus A330 operated flights. Etihad Airways will also initially place its code on Air Europa-operated flights to Madrid from Amsterdam, Brussels and Milan Malpensa and beyond Madrid to Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca.

In return, Air Europa will place its UX flight code on Etihad Airways flights from Amsterdam, Brussels and Milan Malpensa to Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Airways’ president and chief executive officer, James Hogan, said: “The new route will support growing trade volumes between UAE and Spain, up 75% over the last three years. It will also introduce more Spanish business and leisure travellers to Abu Dhabi, not to mention, make access to Abu Dhabi, Madrid and other destinations easier.”

The launch date of the new Madrid-Abu Dhabi service will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

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