adminNico Bezuidenhout, said the partnership would also explore synergy and efficiency opportunities for the two airlines.
Bezuidenhout said SAA would place its “SA” code on 12 Etihad Airways destinations flying from the United Arab Emirates national carrier’s Abu Dhabi home- base.
He said additional cities in the Middle East, Asia and India would be added as the necessary approvals were secured.
On the other hand, Etihad Airways would place its “EY” code on flights from Johannesburg to 10 SAA destinations across South Africa, Africa and South America. The agreement also makes provision for passengers to earn and redeem miles through the airlines’ frequent flyer programmes.
Bezuidenhout said secondary phases of the co-operation agreement would explore code sharing to more cities, closer synergies and efficiencies in the key commercial areas of procurement, ground handling as well as training.
“This extensive commercial agreement will enable SAA to access the vast majority of Etihad Airways global markets.
“We are pleased to build upon the commercial areas of the agreement which are fundamental to a modern airline partnership,” Bezuidenhout said.
Echoing same sentiments, SAA’s acting chairperson, Dudu Myeni, said the partnership provided her air carrier customers with vital, instantaneous and seamless access to 12 key destinations in the Middle East and beyond.
“It will also broaden SAA’s network through alliances and strategic partnerships, which, is our long term view,” Myeni said.
Speaking at the same event, Etihad Airways president and chief executive James Hogan said the new partnership would enable Etihad Airways and South African Airways to achieve significant goals in several different global markets as well as collaborate on a number of key commercial initiatives. — CAJ News.
Online Reporter