Air France-KLM Group and Etihad Airways have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at enhancing their collaboration across passenger operations, loyalty programs, talent development and maintenance.
Through the partnership, and subject to any necessary regulatory approvals, the carriers anticipate expanding their codeshare and interline agreements initiated in 2012. As a first step, more than 40 new routes covering destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Australia have been made available for booking, for travel as early as the winter 2023 season.
The memorandum also allows frequent flyers of both Flying Blue and Etihad Guest to earn and redeem miles with Air France, KLM and Etihad. The airlines will also explore terminal co-location, reciprocal lounge access and ground handling, among other initiatives.
Etihad currently operates daily flights to both Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport from Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Air France will start operating daily flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport beginning Oct. 29.
Angus Clarke, chief commercial officer, Air France-KLM, said the 11-year collaboration is now expanding even further. This moment, he said, “marks our shared commitment to providing seamless, premium, customer-centric travel experiences to our shared global customer base.”
Arik De, chief revenue officer at Etihad, said the memorandum builds on the existing partnership “by exploring deeper network enhancements as the carriers offer improved connectivity between Abu Dhabi and Paris, and leveraging the extensive Air France-KLM network to Europe and beyond.”
Image: Air France-KLM, Etihad
