Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways signed a memorandum of understanding that expands their interline agreements and provides passengers with additional travel options when visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The aim of this agreement between the two UAE carriers is to take advantage of new opportunities to move tourism from key source markets to destination by allowing visitors to experience more places in a single trip.
This summer, customers of both airlines will be able to purchase a single ticket to Dubai or Abu Dhabi and return seamlessly via the other airport. The new deal also gives travelers planning to explore the UAE the flexibility to purchase tickets for all their trips in one place, including convenient baggage check-in.
In the first phase of the expanded agreement, both carriers will target visitors to the UAE from selected locations in Europe and China. The “open jaw” arrangement allows them to see as much as possible while exploring Abu Dhabi, Dubai or any other emirate and save time by not having to fly home via the destination airport. Customers traveling to the UAE also have the option of “multi-seat flights” where they can choose to travel from one city on both carriers' networks and conveniently return to another location served by Emirates or Etihad.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the Arabian Travel Market by Adnan Kazim, Emirates Chief Commercial Officer, and Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer, Etihad Airways, in the presence of Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, and His Excellency Mohammed, President of Etihad. Ali Al Shorafy (TBC) and Antonoald Neves, CEO of Etihad, along with other senior officials.
Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, said: “We are delighted to be working with Etihad Airways again. Together we can offer new travel options to the United Arab Emirates. Emirates and Etihad are using their strengths to expand customer offerings and stimulate tourism in the country. We believe the new agreement will provide a solid foundation for the development of further opportunities between the two airlines and exemplify our commitment to the UAE's vision of continued economic diversification.”
Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said: “We are delighted to be working with Emirates on our shared mission of supporting tourism to the UAE and facilitating travel to our developing cities. The new deal will make it easier for our customers to see the best of Abu Dhabi and Dubai with a single ticket. At the same time, we are committed to providing them with an exceptional flying experience, whether they fly with Etihad Airways or Emirates. This is an excellent opportunity for those traveling to the UAE.”
The expanded partnership between the airlines stems from the commitment of both airlines to support the UAE government's strategy to develop tourism and strengthen its position as a preferred global destination. Tourism is a pillar of the UAE economy and is expected to contribute 2027% of the country's total GDP, amounting to AED5,4 billion ($116,1 billion) and supporting more than 31,6 million jobs by 1. *
This is the second time these airlines have announced a collaboration. In 2018, Emirates Group Security and Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen aviation security, including information and intelligence sharing in operational areas in the UAE and beyond. Last year, Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding with the Abu Dhabi Ministry of Culture and Tourism to increase the number of tourists coming to the UAE capital from key source markets in the airline's global network.