Summary
- Etihad Airways and Egyptair signed an MoU to enhance their codeshare agreement for wider destination access.
- The collaboration aims to strengthen commercial and operational ties, providing customers with more choices.
- Etihad also has codeshare agreements with Royal Air Maroc, with the airlines expanding collaboration in various sectors.
The UAE national airline Etihad Airways and Egypt’s flag carrier Egyptair have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand their codeshare agreement, offering customers access to more destinations across their networks and enhancing frequent flyer benefits. This comes a week after Etihad Airways signed an MoU with Royal Air Maroc, another North African carrier.
Strengthening commercial ties
The MoU, signed by the CEOs of both airlines, was announced on June 11, 2024. It paves the way for extended codeshares and frequent flyer cooperation between the two national carriers. Through the agreement, Etihad and Egyptair aim to enhance their commercial and operational ties to provide their customers with wider choices, higher-quality services, and increased value.
Photo: Airbus
According to Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves, the collaboration will provide more opportunities for seamless travel for Etihad and Egyptair customers across their international networks. It also lays the foundation for enhanced cooperation across the airlines’ frequent flyer programs, enabling them to unlock opportunities in joint marketing campaigns and promotions designed to reward customers. Egyptair Chairman and CEO Yehia Zakaria added,
“This MoU strengthens our strategic partnership with Etihad Airways and underscores our commitment to providing our valued customers with a seamless travel experience and access to a wider network. I am confident that this partnership with Etihad Airways will not only benefit our passengers but also foster a stronger relationship between Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. We look forward to a successful collaboration, soaring to new heights together.”
The existing codeshare agreement enhances connectivity between Egypt and the United Arab Emirates and gives customers access to more destinations beyond their respective hubs in Cairo and Abu Dhabi. The two carriers will extend the codeshare partnership, giving Egyptair travelers access to more destinations across Etihad’s network and several existing cities in Asia and Australia.
Related
14 Destinations Where Etihad Airways Could Fly Its New Airbus A321LRs
The first aircraft is due to enter Etihad’s fleet next year.
Similarly, Etihad guests can fly seamlessly to more destinations in Egyptair’s network beyond the routes already in scope. Travelers can book their entire journey on a single ticket and have their baggage checked in to their final destinations.
Enhancing collaboration between Africa and the Middle East
Etihad and Royal Air Maroc
Etihad Airways also has a codeshare agreement with Moroccan national carrier Royal Air Maroc. It provides enhanced connectivity between Morocco and the UAE and gives Etihad customers easy connections through Casablanca to various African destinations.
Photo: Wenjie Zheng | Shutterstock
On June 3, the two carriers announced the signing of an MoU to boost commercial ties and enhance customer benefits. Etihad will work closely with Royal Air Maroc to expand the existing codeshare agreement to cover more Moroccan and African routes, develop existing frequent flyer benefits, and explore collaborations on ground handling, maintenance, and engineering.
Egyptair and Riyadh Air
Last week, at the 80th IATA AGM, Egyptair signed a cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia’s new startup, Riyadh Air. It offers customers a variety of exclusive benefits when traveling between the two countries. Egyptair and Riyadh Air aim to boost connectivity between their hubs and offer guests more travel choices to various domestic and international destinations across the Middle East and Africa.
Photo: Riyadh Air
Egyptair has an extensive international network, with Saudi Arabia as its top destination. It serves over six cities in the Middle Eastern country, including Jeddah, Riyadh, and Medina. Riyadh Air, announced by Saudi Arabia in 2023, plans to start operations next year. The new airline aims to connect the Kingdom to over 100 destinations worldwide by 2030.
What are your thoughts on this story? Please let us know in the comments!