Air France-KLM Group and Etihad Airways reinforce their partnership
3 airlines’ frequent flyers can now jointly earn and redeem miles
Air France-KLM Group and Etihad Airways have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase collaboration for passenger operations, loyalty programmes, talent development, and maintenance.
The MoU’s signing ceremony was held at the Air France-KLM Group’s headquarters in Paris, France, on September 7, 2023, in the presence of Angus Clarke, Chief Commercial Officer, Air France-KLM, and Arik De, Chief Revenue Officer, Etihad Airways (Featured image, L-R).
The Air France-KLM Group and Etihad Airways MoU is subject to regulatory approvals in France, the Netherlands, and the UAE.
The newly signed MoU permits the partners to expand their codeshare and interline agreements initiated in 2012.
Europe-Abu Dhabi focus
Earlier this year, Air France-KLM signed a MoU with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism to enhance air connectivity between Europe and Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital city.
Angus Clarke, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Air France-KLM said: “I am delighted to develop our partnership with Etihad Airways further. This 11-year collaboration is expanding even further as we aim to explore opportunities in maintenance and loyalty and enhance our route network to benefit our customers worldwide.
“The attractiveness of Abu Dhabi as a destination and hub, powered by Etihad Airways’ large footprint spanning South and Southeast Asia and Australia, brings significant richness to this partnership,” Clarke added.
As of September 7, 2023, over 40 new routes for destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Australia have been made available for booking on Air France-KLM Group and Etihad Airways digital assets for travel as early as the winter 2023 season.
The MoU will allow frequent Flying Blue and Etihad Guest flyers to earn and redeem miles with Air France, KLM, and Etihad Airways.
Shared resources
The three airlines will also explore terminal co-location, reciprocal lounge access and ground handling, among other initiatives.
Arik De, Chief Revenue Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “This MoU builds on our existing partnership by exploring more profound network enhancements as we offer improved connectivity between Abu Dhabi and Paris and leveraging the extensive AF-KL network to Europe and beyond.
“It reaffirms Etihad’s intent to bolster Abu Dhabi’s cultural and economic growth as we look forward to welcoming more guests to our home, enjoying better travel benefits and enhanced customer experiences,” De noted.
Etihad Airways operates daily flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol airports in Paris and Amsterdam, respectively.
Air France will start operating daily flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Abu Dhabi International Airport from October 29, 2023.
