Abu Dhabi-based UAE's national carrier Etihad Airways has unveiled Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand which brings together like-minded airlines like India's Jet Airways, to offer customers more choice through improved networks, schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits.
Initially, six airlines will participate in the new partnership - airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Jet Airways, Darwin Airline and Etihad Airways. However, any airline can become an Etihad Airways Partner even if it is part of an existing alliance, such as airberlin, which is a member of oneworld.
The key emphasis for Etihad Airways Partners is a strong commercial partnership and shared values. "We are broadening our business model to articulate and define a partner proposition for like-minded airlines which will result in synergies and efficiencies for participating airlines on the one side, and enhanced network choice, service and frequent flyer benefits for the consumer on the other," James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said.
Hogan said the Etihad Airways Partners logo is a seal of excellence and global cooperation. "It will be displayed on aircraft and on branded materials by a group of airlines working together to connect travelers around the world, and increasingly to harmonies standards in the air and on the ground," he said.
Hogan said Etihad Airways Partners differed from legacy airline alliances by offering benefits beyond commercial cooperation.
"The potential for network alignment to maximise flight connectivity for passengers, together with a shared passion for superior service, are central to the ethos of the Etihad Airways Partner concept," said Hogan. "Frequent flyers will benefit from the formation of Etihad Airways Partners as it will remove the complexity and confusion that exists within the global alliances," he said.
This will include standardised mileage and tier benefits across all partners, no blackout periods and priority services. Notably, Jet and Etihad are already part of a deal announced last year that allowed Etihad to buy 24 percent stake in Naresh Goyal-led Jet for about Rs 2,057.66 crore.
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