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Etihad and Jet Airways in code share pact

DUBAI — Etihad Airways and Jet Airways announced a new code share agreement and network-wide reciprocal frequent flyer partnership effective July 01, 2008, subject to regulatory approval.

With this agreement, Etihad Airways will place its two letter “EY” code on all Jet Airways' daily flights between Delhi and Mumbai to Abu Dhabi. In turn, Jet Airways will place its '9W' code on the daily services operated by Etihad Airways on the same routes as well as Etihad Airways operated services between Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Abu Dhabi. The new code-share services will be available for sale effective June 16, 2008.

Both airlines have also signed a reciprocal agreement to link their respective frequent flyer programmes. Etihad's Guest programme will be able to earn and redeem miles on Jet Airways' 385 flights to 60 destinations in India and worldwide. Similarly, Jet Airways' JetPrivilege members will be able to earn and redeem miles on Etihad's flights to 45 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways' Chief Executive, said: “As well as providing air travellers with a greater choice of flights between the UAE capital and these two popular Indian cities, this new code-share agreement will also provide customers of both our airlines with greater access to each other's expanding global networks.”

Naresh Goyal, Chairman, Jet Airways, said “We are proud to join hands with Etihad Airways. The Mumbai/Delhi-Abu Dhabi sectors continue to hold great potential in terms of large passenger volumes. We were looking to enhance our presence on these sectors by means of a code-share alliance with a carrier whose commitment to service and product quality closely mirrors our own. In Etihad, we believe we have found that partner.”

Shakir Kantawala, Regional Manager, Sales & Marketing, Jet Airways, said the airline, which currently operates to 60 destinations, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat, Doha and Abu Dhabi, will soon be expanding its reach across other GCC destinations including Dubai.

The airline also plans to extend its international operations to other cities in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia in phases with the introduction of additional wide-body aircraft into its fleet.