Etihad Airways Inks New Codeshare Agreement With SKY express, Adds Seven New Destinations
- Joe Breitfeller
- 5 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Etihad Airways has announced the signing of a new codeshare agreement with SKY express, which will unlock access to 24 Greek island destinations. The carrier has also announced the addition of service to seven new ‘magnificent’ destinations.
On Tuesday (July 15, 2025), Etihad Airways announced the signing of a new codeshare agreement with SKY express. The new commercial partnership will enhance connectivity between Abu Dhabi and 24 unique Greek island destinations, along with three additional East Mediterranean cities via Athens. Etihad will place their code on SKY express-operated flights beyond Athens, providing seamless access to Greece's most popular island destinations including Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, and Kos, alongside stunning destinations like Corfu, Paros, and Thessaloniki.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Etihad Airways’ Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Arik De, said,
“This partnership with SKY express opens exciting new possibilities for our customers to discover Greece beyond Athens. SKY express’s comprehensive island network perfectly complements our Athens service, giving travellers seamless access to some of the Mediterranean's most beautiful destinations through a single booking.”
Also commenting on the new codeshare partnership, SKY express’ Chief Commercial Officer, Gerasimos Skaltsas, said,
“The collaboration with Etihad is a strong vote of confidence in SKY express, reinforcing our position as a reliable partner and significantly enhancing our connectivity. Passengers can now enjoy seamless access to the largest network of Greek destinations, served by the youngest fleet in Greece. Together, we are dedicated to making Greece a sought-after, year-round destination for visitors from around the world.”
With the new codeshare arrangement, customers will be able to book connecting flights with streamlined check-in processes and automatic baggage transfers to their final destination. The new partnership reinforces Athens' role as a key gateway in Etihad's European network, while offering customers unrivalled access to Greece's stunning islands and cultural treasures.
In a separate press release today (July 15, 2025), Etihad Airways announced the addition of seven new routes across the Gulf, the Caucasus and Central Asia, expanding the number of new routes announced or launched in a single year to 27. The new destinations include Almaty (Kazakhstan), Baku (Azerbaijan), Bucharest (Romania), Medina (Saudi Arabia), Tbilisi (Georgia), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and Yerevan (Armenia). Flights will be available for booking in the coming days, with Medina service to commence in November 2025, and all other routes to begin from March 2026.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Etihad Airways’ CEO, Antonoaldo Neves, said,
“Our goal is clear; we want to bring more people directly to Abu Dhabi. These new routes connect us to fast-growing, culturally rich regions and will help stimulate demand for tourism and trade in the UAE’s capital.
“From the spiritual significance of Medina to the historic charm of Tbilisi and Yerevan, and the modern vibrancy of cities like Baku and Almaty, each destination adds depth to our growing network and attracts travellers with diverse interests.
“With these seven additions, Etihad will have announced or commenced operations to 27 new routes in a single year – a remarkable milestone that reflects our ambition and commitment to Abu Dhabi’s growth.
“Whether for business or leisure, guests can expect a seamless journey and world-class hospitality that reflects Etihad’s elevated service. These connections make it easier than ever to experience everything Abu Dhabi has to offer.”
This year, Etihad has already celebrated inaugural flights to four new destinations, including Prague, Warsaw, Sochi and Atlanta, and will add another 13 routes before the end of the year. Today’s announcement comes just days after Etihad unveiled three new seasonal summer destinations for 2026, including Krakow (Poland), Salalah (Oman), and Kazan (Russia).
Source: Etihad Airways