Etihad Airways signs codeshare with China Eastern Airlines

Etihad Airways has signed a codeshare agreement with China Eastern Airlines

The new agreement is the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s 37th codeshare. It follows the exchange of a comprehensive Memorandum of nderstanding with the Shanghai-based Chinese carrier in March this year.

President and chief executive officer of Etihad Airways, James Hogan said: “The codeshare with China Eastern Airlines is a win-win for both businesses and for travellers across our combined global networks.

“It expands our networks in a commercially viable and mutually beneficial way, and offers our customers more choice of destinations, schedules and loyalty benefits.”

Liu Shaoyong, chairman of China Eastern Airlines, said: "China Eastern is very pleased to cooperate with Etihad Airways and values the partnership. Signing the codeshare agreement has great significance for increased cooperation in a range of areas which will be for the benefit of our shared customers."

Initially, China Eastern Airlines will place its ‘MU’ code on Etihad Airways’ flights between Abu Dhabi and Shanghai.

The airlines have plans to expand the partnership in subsequent phases of cooperation. For example, China Eastern will place its ‘MU’ code on Etihad Airways flights to destinations not on the Chinese carrier’s network while Etihad Airways plans to codeshare on China Eastern’s domestic services beyond its Shanghai hub.

The two airlines also plan to offer reciprocal benefits such as mileage earn and burn to members of their frequent flyer programs, Etihad Guest and Eastern Miles, in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “Etihad is making great strides into the China market and with this new codeshare, it will garner a sizeable foothold in one of the worlds biggest markets. While Chinese airlines have been slow to exert any influence or even growth in the GCC region, China Eastern Airlines now has the capability to leverage Etihad's strengthen, particularly in Europe and North America.

“Likewise for Etihad, the spectre of access to a lucrative market that is on track to surpass that of the United States is an opportunity it was never likely to miss and you have to question, what, if any response there is from rivals Emirates and Qatar Airways, both of who like Etihad have long since had a slew of Chinese cities on their radar.”

The new codeshare services between Abu Dhabi and China go on sale on 30 August.