Aer Lingus and Etihad Airways yesterday (Monday 30th July 2012) announced a new code-share and interline agreement which will come into effect from the third quarter leveraging the natural strengths of their perspective networks in Dublin and Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Airways operates 10 flights a week from Abu Dhabi to Dublin using Airbus A330-200s and has carried more than 817,000 passengers between the two capitals since it began flying the route in July, 2007. Aer Lingus and Etihad Airways use terminal 2 at Dublin Airport.
Aer Lingus become the 36th partnership carrier with Etihad Airways following the airline taking a 2.987% stake in Aer Lingus. Interestingly both carriers have a partnership with Jetblue Airways in New York JFK where Aer Lingus will switch terminals in early 2013.
The partnership will see Etihad Airways will place its “EY” code on Aer Lingus flights between Dublin, Manchester and London Heathrow, and destinations in Ireland, the British Isles, the Channel Islands, Portugal, the Netherlands and the US.
Aer Lingus will place its “EI” code on Etihad Airways flights between Abu Dhabi and Dublin, and have full access to flights across the network beyond Abu Dhabi, to points including Australia, Asia-Pacific, the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East, thus gaining access to high growth market praticulary in China and India
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The Etihad Airways President & CEO stated “We are delighted to announce this new codeshare agreement with Aer Lingus which will provide Etihad Airways’ customers with new travel options and flight connections to Ireland, the UK, continental Europe, and across the Atlantic to Boston and New York”.
The Aer Lingus CEO Christoph Mueller stated “Today’s announcement supports Aer Lingus’ strategy to provide greater access and choice to our customers. We are delighted to welcome Etihad Airways on board as a codeshare partner.”
Going forward the carriers continue to discuss additional commercial and cost opportunities to develop a closer working relationship in areas such as joint procurement.
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 31st July 2012