Photo Credit : WAM
Etihad Airways has strengthened its presence in Eastern Europe by signing a new codeshare agreement with Romania’s national carrier, TAROM, creating expanded travel options between Abu Dhabi, Romania, and several key destinations across the region.
The agreement was signed during the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro and will allow passengers to travel on a single ticket across both airlines’ networks.
Under the partnership, Etihad customers will gain access to six Romanian cities via Bucharest, including Baia Mare, Cluj-Napoca, Iasi, Oradea, Suceava, and Timisoara. The agreement also extends to four Eastern European capitals: Belgrade, Budapest, Chisinau, and Sofia. Romanian travellers will benefit from direct access to Abu Dhabi through Etihad’s upcoming Bucharest service.
The codeshare arrangement supports the launch of Etihad’s new Abu Dhabi-Bucharest route, scheduled to commence on 17 December 2026. Once operational, passengers will be able to connect seamlessly between Bucharest and destinations across Etihad’s global network, with baggage checked through to their final destination.
The partnership also opens wider travel opportunities for Romanian passengers, providing onward connections from Abu Dhabi to destinations throughout the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said the agreement provides the airline with immediate access to a growing Eastern European market through TAROM’s extensive regional network and long-standing aviation expertise.
Mircea Nicolae Cotoros, Chief Commercial Officer at TAROM, said the partnership enhances TAROM’s international reach while strengthening economic, cultural, and tourism links between Romania and the Middle East.
With the addition of TAROM, Etihad’s partner network now includes 47 codeshare agreements and more than 130 interline partnerships, offering travellers access to over 350 destinations worldwide through a single-ticket journey.
