Abu Dhabi/Dubai: Etihad Airways and Emirates Airline, two major airlines in the UAE, have signed an agreement of cooperation which enables a traveller to fly on either airline with the same ticket. The main attraction of the agreement is that a passenger can fly on various sectors of Etihad with a ticket for Emirates and vice-versa.
According to officials, the new deal will boost tourism in the region as well as enable both airlines to meet global competition. As part of a trial, this new service will be available in the China and European routes. In future, the facility would be extended to all sectors of Etihad and Emirates.
Under the new deal, a passenger arriving in Dubai from China on an Emirates flight can return to China or travel to Europe on Etihad from Abu Dhabi with a single ticket. As only one ticket is booked and that too in advance, the passenger would be spared of fare hike and can save a large amount of money.
Similarly, a person hailing from India reaching Dubai from the UK can visit relatives and friends in the UAE before flying onward to India on a single ticket. According to travel experts, the facility would be highly beneficial for Indians working abroad.
Tickets could be booked on Emirates flights through the Etihad site and vice-versa. The travel dates and departure cities too could be changed on the site of either airline. Details of the facilities are explained on the websites of both airlines. In order to change the departure city, travellers have to choose ‘multi-city flight option’ on the website while booking tickets.
The agreement was signed at Arabian Travel Market by chief commercial officer of Emirates Adnan Kazim and chief operating officer of Etihad Mohammed Al Bulooki in the presence of president of Emirates Airlines Tim Clark and CEO of Etihad Antonoaldo Neves.
The websites to book tickets are www.emirates.com and www.etihad.com
