Etihad, Gulf Air announce strategic commercial cooperation agreement

Etihad Airways and Gulf Air have signed an agreement to strengthen commercial cooperation.

In the first phase, by June 2021, the scope of the airlines’ codeshare agreement, first signed in 2019, will be significantly expanded.

Etihad and Gulf Air will be able to offer up to an additional 30 combined destinations beyond the Abu Dhabi and Bahrain hubs, across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia.

They will work together to optimise joint operations on the Abu Dhabi-Bahrain route, with improvements to network connectivity over each of the partners’ hubs.

The two carriers will also enhance their respective offerings to premium tier customers of Etihad Guest and Falconflyer, including reciprocal lounge access at the hubs and enhanced recognition through a guest’s journey, regardless of the operating airline.

Additionally, the partners will work together to improve the customer journey on Abu Dhabi – Bahrain sector, making it more seamless, regardless of the operating carrier, with enhanced and harmonised policies and products in areas such as baggage and ancillaries.

The wide-ranging Strategic Commercial Cooperation Agreement (SCCA), subject to obtaining applicable governmental and regulatory approvals, aims to building on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) the airlines signed in 2018.

The 2018 MOU also provided for exploration of MRO, pilot and crew training, and cargo opportunities, which the parties will now re-visit in light of current market opportunities and company requirements.

The latest agreement was signed by Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, and Captain Waleed AlAlawi, Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer.

We’re proud to strengthen our partnership with @GulfAir, offering our passengers more choices and benefits. Our strategic commercial cooperation will allow us to further broaden our collaboration. #Etihad #EtihadxGulfAir #GulfAir pic.twitter.com/3NKKhzxtTb

— Etihad Airways (@etihad) February 17, 2021