Thursday, Jun 22, 2017

Dubai

Etihad Airways and China Southern Airlines announced a code-share partnership, which comes into effect on Thursday as Etihad pushes to expand its footprint in the Chinese market.

The partnership increases the number of code-share agreements operated by Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways to 53. Under the deal, China Southern Airlines will put its ‘CZ’ code on Etihad’s daily services between Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Abu Dhabi.

The deal will allow China Southern passengers to book code-share flights to and from Abu Dhabi, and connect on Etihad’s network.

Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad’s executive vice president for commercial, said the code-share partnership is a key component of the carrier’s footprint in China and its network development strategy.

“China is one of the fastest growing travel markets in the world, and one of the most competitive. By partnering with China Southern Airlines, each airline can use its strengths to benefit the other and offer more choice with enhanced connectivity to all guests …” he said in a statement.

Al Bulooki added that recent developments such as the introduction of visas on arrival for Chinese citizens visiting the UAE will help promote the country as business and leisure destinations.

Meanwhile, China Southern said the partnership will strengthen its global network, and provide increased benefits to passengers.

Both Etihad Airways and China Southern Airlines are planning to implement a reciprocal loyalty partnership to enable guests to earn and redeem miles on each other’s flights network-wide.

Staff Report

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