Etihad Airways inks code-share with China Eastern Airlines
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Etihad Airways has inked a code-share agreement with China Eastern Airlines. The new agreement is the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s 37th code-share. It follows the exchange of a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding with the Shanghai-based Chinese carrier in March this year.
President and CEO of Etihad Airways, James Hogan, expressed appreciation to the government regulators for approving the new agreement. “The code-share with China Eastern Airlines is a win-win for both businesses and for travellers across our combined global networks,” added Hogan.
Liu Shaoyong, chairman of China Eastern Airlines, said: “Signing the code-share agreement has great significance for increased cooperation in a range of areas which will be for the benefit of our shared customers.”
Initially, China Eastern Airlines will place its ‘MU’ code on Etihad Airways’ flights between Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. The airlines have plans to expand the partnership in subsequent phases of cooperation. For example, China Eastern will place its ‘MU’ code on Etihad Airways flights to destinations not on the Chinese carrier’s network while Etihad Airways plans to code-share on China Eastern’s domestic services beyond its Shanghai hub.
The two airlines also plan to offer reciprocal benefits such as mileage earn and burn to members of their frequent flyer programs, Etihad Guest and Eastern Miles, in the fourth quarter of 2012. The new code-share services between Abu Dhabi and China go on sale on August 30th, 2012 for travel from September 3rd, 2012.