Etihad Airways to codeshare with Indian carrier, Jet Airways

Etihad Airways is expanding its global network by providing its customers with greater access to the Indian sub-continent, following the signing of a new codeshare agreement with Indian carrier, Jet Airways.

Under the deal, which comes into effect on 1 July, the Abu Dhabi-based airline will place its two-letter ‘EY’ code on all of Jet Airways’ daily services between the Indian carrier’s two hub airports, Delhi and Mumbai, and Etihad’s own home base. In turn, Jet Airways will place its ‘9W’ code on the daily services operated by Etihad on the same routes.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said, “As well as providing air travellers with a greater choice of flights between the UAE  capital and these two popular Indian cities, this new codeshare agreement will also provide customers of both our airlines with greater access to each other’s expanding global networks.”

In the case of Etihad, the new codeshare arrangements between Abu Dhabi and the Indian cities of Delhi and Mumbai will provide additional connection opportunities for its customers wishing to travel to India from key destinations on the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s network, including Damascus, Beirut and Jeddah in the Middle East as well as Geneva, Munich, Manchester, New York and Toronto.

The new codeshare agreement will also see Jet Airways place its code on Etihad’s daily service between Abu Dhabi and Kochi (Cochin) and Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), to provide the Indian airline’s Kerala-based customers with convenient access to Abu Dhabi and the rest of Etihad’s global network.

Naresh Goyal, Jet Airways’ chairman, said “We are proud to join hands with Etihad Airways. The Mumbai and Delhi to Abu Dhabi routes hold great potential in terms of large passenger volumes. We were looking to enhance our presence on these sectors by means of a codeshare alliance with a carrier whose commitment to service and product quality closely mirrors our own. In Etihad, we believe we have found that partner.”

The agreement comes as the two airlines seek to strengthen their relationship with seat bookings on the new codeshare services available from 16 June.

Etihad and Jet Airways have also signed a reciprocal agreement to link their respective frequent flyer programmes. Members of both programmes will be able to earn and redeem miles when travelling on all Etihad and Jet Airways flights, included those in the new codeshare agreement.

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