Etihad
Airways and South African Airways have extended their strategic
partnership with measures including more codeshare routes and further
integration of their frequent flyer programmes.
The expansion will also see SAA launch a
daily flight between Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi on March 29, to run
alongside Etihad’s existing service on the route.
The two airlines will now operate 49 codeshare routes, more than double the previous amount.
Etihad will place its “EY” code on SAA’s
new Johannesburg to Abu Dhabi flights, in addition to 16 of the
airline’s services from Johannesburg to 16 other African destinations.
SAA will place its “SA” code on 32 Etihad routes beyond Abu Dhabi.
The airlines also said they “will
enhance the alignment of Etihad Guest and Voyager frequent flyer
programs, with even more opportunities for members to earn and redeem
miles. Benefits such as priority baggage handling, boarding and
check-in, and airport lounge access across the airlines’ networks will
be provided based on membership tiers.”
Etihad president and CEO James Hogan
said: “Since our codeshare flights were first on sale in July last year,
we have placed more than 20,000 passengers onto each other’s flights,
and there is huge potential to significantly increase that number as the
cooperation is developed in the coming years.
“Importantly, our expanded partnership
will enhance the benefits that Etihad Airways and South African Airways
offer to business and leisure travellers, such as improved connections,
enhanced opportunities to earn and redeem miles, and a more seamless
experience.”
Nico Bezuidenhout, SAA’s acting CEO,
added: “Under the second phase of our cooperation, we will better serve
established regions such as North America, Europe and Australia, while
strengthening our presence in fast-growing markets across the Middle
East and Asia.
“In particular, the codeshare expansion
will support a planned adjustment of our network to strengthen access
into the fast-growing China and India markets.”
