Etihad Airways (EY, Abu Dhabi International) has unveiled its "Etihad Airways Partners", an alliance-like venture aimed at building a strong commercial partnership and shared values among its member carriers which so far include Air Berlin (1991) (Berlin Tegel), Air Serbia (JU, Belgrade), Jet Airways (JAI, Mumbai International), Darwin Airline (Lugano), and Air Seychelles (HM, Mahé).
Though its membership currently includes only its equity partners, Etihad insists that the partnership is open to all airlines even if they are part of an existing alliance. Other Etihad equity partners such as Aer Lingus (EI, Dublin International), Virgin Australia (VA, Brisbane International), and Alitalia (AZA, Rome Fiumicino), have yet to join as they have their own “interests and priorities”, Etihad said.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, James Hogan, said Etihad Airways Partners differed from legacy airline alliances by offering benefits well beyond pure 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,” he said. “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."
Partners will also have access to economies of scale and operational synergies such as centres of excellence, shared sales teams in certain destinations, joint procurement of services and supplies, and shared pilot and cabin crew training at the Etihad Airways facilities in Abu Dhabi International.
Bruno Matheu was named as Chief Operating Officer for equity partners in the Etihad Airways Aviation Group. He previously worked with Air France-KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for about 20 years.
