Nairobi, February 21, 2013?? National carrier, Kenya Airways, has announced the expansion of its global network through a new codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates? national airline.
Kenya Airways will also launch a new three times a week service between Nairobi and Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital effective June 2013. This is intended to give passengers improved connections and greater choice.
Under the new codeshare agreement, Kenya Airways will initially place its KQ code on Etihad Airways existing daily service between Nairobi and Abu Dhabi, and onwards to 32 destinations on Etihad?s global network. This will provide passengers with connections over Abu Dhabi to destinations across North Asia, South East Asia, the Indian sub-continent and Australia.
In return, Etihad Airways will place its EY code on Kenya Airways flights from Abu Dhabi to Nairobi, and onwards to 27 destinations across the Kenya Airways network in Africa. The connections will provide passengers with connections over Nairobi to destinations in East, West & Southern Africa.
Dr. Titus Naikuni, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Airways, said: ?This new codeshare agreement is a significant development for Kenya Airways that enables us to provide our passengers with convenient access to the capital of the UAE and onwards on the extensive Etihad Airways network?.
The agreement with Etihad Airways brings the number of strategic codeshares that Kenya Airways has signed with other international carriers to 18. In turn the codeshare with the national carrier of Kenya brings to 42 the number of codeshare partners for Etihad Airways, providing the airline with a combined network of more than 349 destinations, more than any other Middle East airline
The agreement paves way for greater collaboration between the two airlines on joint procurement of services for ground handling, line and heavy maintenance, training and cargo operations.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, said: ?The partnership agreement with Kenya Airways is in line with our strategy of forming alliances with airlines around the world to enhance our network and marketing reach.
[quote]?Last year we launched new services to Tripoli, Nairobi and Lagos, and over the last five years we have more than doubled our services to Africa, reflecting the increasing importance of the continent. During the same period we have flown nearly three million passengers between Africa and the UAE, and key destinations across our network.? [/quote]
The airlines are working on the integration of their respective frequent flyer programs, Etihad Guest and Kenya Airway?s Flying Blue, to provide travellers with enhanced premium service benefits, enabling them to earn and redeem miles on each other?s flights.
The new codeshare services between Etihad Airways and Kenya Airways go on sale on March 15, for travel from April 1 onwards.
[box type=”tick”]About Kenya Airways
Founded in 1977, Kenya Airways is a member of the SkyTeam Alliance and a leading African airline. The pride of Africa fly?s to 59 destinations worldwide, 47 of which are in Africa carrying over three million passengers annually. Kenya Airways has a modern fleet of 38 aircraft. With an order of 31 aircrafts over the next 3 years of which 9 are 787 Dreamliners, KQ is one of the fastest growing carriers in the regions. In 2010, it scooped top awards at the Africa Investor (Ai) Tourism Investor Awards and was declared the Business Airline of the Year in Africa. Kenya Airways takes pride for being in the fore front of connecting Africa to the world and the World to Africa through its hub at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, began operations in 2003, and in 2012 carried 10.3 million passengers. From its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad Airways serves 86 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas, with a fleet of 72 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and over 90 aircraft on firm order, including 10 Airbus A380s, the world?s largest passenger aircraft. Etihad Airways also holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia and Aer Lingus.[/box]