SAA, Etihad form strategic partnership

SAA, Etihad form strategic partnership
By admin


South African Airways and Etihad are to codeshare on 22 routes as part of a wider strategic partnership that will also include interline services.

The carriers will also explore "synergy and efficiency opportunities" while passengers can earn and redeem miles on the airlines' frequent flyer programs.

The first phase of the agreement will see SAA place its code on 12 Etihad routes from Abu Dhabi, including Johannesburg, Middle East and South America with additional routes added once regulatory approvals are secured.

Etihad meanwhile will codeshare on 10 SAA routes within South Africa as well as services to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Sao Paulo.

A second phase of the partnership will see the number of codeshare routes expanded with closer coordination in procurement, ground handling and training. The carriers will also look to collaborate on "incremental revenue opportunities".

Etihad president and chief executive James Hogan said: "This strategy of working closely with partner airlines to serve secondary cities in a market has been highly successful for Etihad Airways around the world.

"We look forward to build upon our already strong relationship with the team at South African Airways to extend our footprint in the strategically critical African market."

SAA acting chairman Dudu Myeni said the agreement was in line with the carrier's long term view to broaden its network through alliances and strategic partnerships.

Australasia country manager Tim Clyde-Smith added that the commercial areas of the agreement are "fundamental to any modern airline partnership".

The carriers expect to carry more than 20 million passengers in 2013.

Meanwhile, Etihad has also signed an agreement to codeshare on 27 Kenya Airways routes across East and Central Africa.

Pictured shaking on the deal are Etihad CEO James Hogan and SAA acting CEO Nico Bezuidenhout.

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