Gulf Air-Etihad in key agreement

GULF Air and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways are set to explore deeper co-operation following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Bahrain International Airshow 2018.

The wide-ranging deal covers scope to introduce joint codeshare operations between Abu Dhabi and Manama, as well as on the global flight networks beyond the two carriers’ GCC hubs. The agreement also contains plans for greater commercial co-operation in the fields of cargo, engineering, guest experience and the optimisation of pilot training facilities.

The MoU was signed yesterday by Etihad Aviation Group chief executive Tony Douglas and Gulf Air chief executive Krešimir Kucko.

Mr Douglas said deep ties between Abu Dhabi and Manama date back nearly 70 years and the two flag carriers – Etihad and Gulf Air – would now work more closely together to improve business operations and enhance guest experience.

In addition to exploring codeshare operations, the teams at Etihad Guest and Gulf Air Falconflyer loyalty programmes will shortly begin discussions which would see members of each programme being offered reciprocal earn and burn opportunities.

The teams in both carriers’ engineering and cargo divisions are also set to begin talks about greater co-operation. These discussions would look at optimising maintenance repair operations opportunities, as well as ways to increase volumes of freighter traffic flowing into and out of Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.

Gulf Air currently operates four return daily flights between Bahrain and Abu Dhabi while Etihad operates three return daily A320 operations between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.

Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/431103