Signed by Emirates and Etihad Airways on the last day of Arabian Travel Market

Agreement allowing travel to Abu Dhabi or Dubai with one ticket. And not having to return through the «arrival airport»

  • Emirates and Etihad Airways officials during the signing of the agreement. From the source

  • Emirates: The new agreement provides a strong basis for the development of more opportunities between the two airlines. Archival

  • Etihad Airways: Joint mission to support inbound tourism to the UAE. Archival

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Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding, the first of its kind, between the two airlines to expand their interline agreement and provide convenient connections for passengers to and from the UAE.

Next summer, customers of both airlines will be able to make one booking and travel to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, with a smooth return via the other airport. The Open Jaw arrangement will also allow visitors to explore different regions of the UAE by not having to return through the arrival airport, as well as providing a 'multi-city flight' option, with the ability to travel from a city on both carriers' networks.

Officials of the two airlines considered the agreement a "joint mission" to support inbound tourism to the UAE, facilitate travel to the cities of the country, and will provide passengers with the best of Abu Dhabi and Dubai with a single ticket.

Memorandum of Understanding

In detail, Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways signed a memorandum of understanding to expand the interline agreement between them and provide convenient connecting flights for passengers to and from the UAE.

This first-of-its-kind agreement between the two airlines aims to capitalize on opportunities to boost inbound tourism to the country from key markets by enabling visitors to experience more than one destination in one itinerary.

Next summer, customers of both airlines will be able to make one booking and travel to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, with a smooth return via the other airport. The new agreement also provides passengers planning to explore the UAE with the flexibility to issue all-inclusive tickets for their full flights and check in baggage with convenience and ease.

Attracting visitors

In the early stages of the partnership, the two airlines will focus on attracting visitors to the UAE by developing interline traffic from European points and China. The Open Jaw arrangement will also allow visitors to explore different regions of the UAE, saving time by not having to return through the arrival airport. Customers arriving in the UAE have the option of 'multi-city flights', with the possibility to travel from a city on both airlines' networks, and easily return to another point served by Emirates or Etihad Airways.

Seamless travel

The MoU was signed at Arabian Travel Market by Emirates Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim, and Etihad Aviation Group Chief Operating Officer, Mohammed Abdulla Al Bulooki, in the presence of Emirates President Tim Clark and Etihad Aviation Group Chief Executive Officer, Antonwaldo Nevis.

Emirates President Tim Clark said: "We are delighted to be working again in close collaboration with Etihad Airways, this time to open up a new range of seamless travel options within and outside the UAE for our customers.

"Emirates and Etihad Airways will leverage our strengths to expand customer offerings and boost tourism in the country. We are confident that this new agreement provides a strong foundation for the development of further opportunities between the two airlines and is an example of our commitment to the country's vision of further economic diversification."

Joint mission

Antonaldo Nevis, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, said: "We are delighted to partner with Emirates on our joint mission to support inbound tourism to the UAE and facilitate travel to our thriving cities.

"With two global carriers supporting tourism in the country, the Interline agreement will provide our guests with the best of Abu Dhabi and Dubai on a single ticket, with the promise of delivering a premium flight experience, whether they are flying with Etihad Airways or Emirates. It's an excellent and comfortable offer for travellers to the UAE."

Interline Partnership

The expanded Interline partnership builds on the two airlines' commitment to promoting tourism in the UAE and working to strengthen its position as a preferred global destination.

This is the second time the two carriers have announced joint cooperation. In 2018, Emirates Group Security and Etihad Aviation Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on aviation security, including the exchange of information on operations within the UAE and abroad.