Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways have recently signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to broaden their interline partnership, aiming to provide travelers with enhanced itinerary options when visiting the UAE. This groundbreaking agreement between the two UAE carriers seeks to capitalize on opportunities to boost tourism to the UAE from key source markets by allowing visitors to explore more than one destination within a single itinerary.
Beginning this summer, customers of both airlines will have the opportunity to purchase a single ticket that allows them to fly into either Dubai or Abu Dhabi and seamlessly return via the other airport. This new agreement also offers travelers the convenience of one-stop ticketing for their entire journey and streamlined baggage check-in when planning to explore the UAE.
During the initial stages of this expanded interline partnership, each carrier will focus on attracting visitors to the UAE by developing inbound interline traffic from select points in Europe and China. The “open jaw” arrangement will enable visitors to cover more ground when exploring Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or any other emirate, saving time by eliminating the need to fly back home via their arrival airport. Moreover, customers traveling into the UAE will have the option of “multi-city flights,” allowing them to travel from one city on the networks of both Emirates and Etihad and conveniently return to another destination served by either airline.
The MoU signing took place at the Arabian Travel Market in the presence of top executives from both airlines, including Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, and Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways. Sir Tim Clark expressed his pleasure in working with Etihad Airways once again to offer a new range of seamless travel options in and out of the UAE, emphasizing the commitment of both airlines to boost UAE tourism and strengthen their respective customer offerings.
Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, echoed the sentiment, stating that the interline agreement will make it more convenient for guests to experience the best of Abu Dhabi and Dubai on a single ticket, while ensuring an exceptional flying experience with either Etihad Airways or Emirates. He emphasized that the partnership is a win-win proposition for travelers to the UAE.
This expanded interline partnership reflects the commitment of both airlines to support the UAE government’s objective of promoting tourism and enhancing the UAE’s position as a preferred global destination. With tourism being a key pillar of the UAE economy, contributing to 5.4% of the nation’s GDP and supporting over 1 million jobs by 2027, the collaboration between Emirates and Etihad plays a vital role in driving the growth of the tourism sector.
Notably, this collaboration marks the second partnership between the two airlines. In 2018, Emirates Group Security and Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) signed an MoU to enhance aviation security measures, including information and intelligence sharing. Furthermore, Emirates signed an MoU with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi last year, aiming to boost tourist numbers to the UAE capital from key source markets across Emirates’ global network.
Travelers can book tickets through the official websites of Emirates and Etihad, as well as online travel agencies and travel agents, to take advantage of the expanded itinerary options offered by this interline partnership.
