Emirates and Etihad Airways Expand Interline Partnership to Bolster UAE Tourism

Emirates and Etihad Airways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand their interline partnership, which will provide travelers more options when visiting the UAE.

The MoU was signed at 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, Emirates Airline, and Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad CEO, along with other senior representatives. - Courtesy Emirates

On Thursday (May 4, 2023), from the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, Emirates announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Etihad Airways to expand their interline partnership. This first-of-its-kind agreement between the two UAE carriers will bolster tourism to the country from key markets, and will enable visitors to experience more than one destination on a single itinerary. Starting this summer, customers of either airline will be able to purchase a single ticket to fly into either Dubai or Abu Dhabi, with a seamless return via the other airport. Additionally, the agreement will provide visitors to the UAE the flexibility of one-stop ticketing and convenient baggage check-in.

In Thursday’s announcement, Emirates Airline’s President, Sir Tim Clark, said,

“We are pleased to be working again with Etihad Airways – this time to allow each carrier to offer a new range of seamless travel options in and out of the UAE. Emirates and Etihad are leveraging on our strengths to expand our respective customer offerings and boost UAE tourism. We believe this new agreement provides a strong foundation to develop further opportunities between both airlines and is an example of our commitment to the UAE’s vision for continued economic diversification.”

Also commenting on the enhanced commercial cooperation, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Antonoaldo Neves, said,

“We’re delighted to partner with Emirates in our shared mission to support inbound tourism to the UAE and facilitate travel to our vibrant cities. With two world-class airlines supporting UAE tourism, our interline agreement will make it more convenient for our guests to experience the best of Abu Dhabi and Dubai on one single ticket while promising to deliver an exceptional flying experience whether they fly with Etihad Airways or Emirates. It’s a win-win proposition for travellers to the UAE.”

During the initial stages of the expanded interline, each airline will focus on boosting inbound interline traffic from select markets in Europe and China. The agreement will allow visitors to cover as much ground as possible when exploring Abu Dhabi, Dubai or any other emirate, without the need to fly home via their arrival airport. Inbound customers to the UAE will also have the option of ‘multi-city-flights’, with the option of travel from one city on both carriers’ networks, and conveniently returning to another point served by Emirates or Etihad Airways. The expanded interline partnership supports the commitment of both airlines to promote UAE tourism, and enhancing the country’s position as a preferred global destination. Tourism is one of the key pillars of the UAE economy, and is expected to contribute 5.4 percent to the nation’s GDP, or AED 116.1 billion (US $31.6 billion) by 2027, supporting one million jobs.

Source: Emirates