(Left to right): Maurizio Merlo, CEO Darwin Airline; Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, CEO airberlin; James Hogan, President and CEO Etihad Airways; Cramer Ball, CEO Jet Airways; Dane Kondić, CEO Air Serbia, Manoj Papa, CEO Air Seychelles; at the launch of Etihad Airways Partners.
(Left to right): Maurizio Merlo, CEO Darwin Airline; Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, CEO airberlin; James Hogan, President and CEO Etihad Airways; Cramer Ball, CEO Jet Airways; Dane Kondić, CEO Air Serbia, Manoj Papa, CEO Air Seychelles; at the launch of Etihad Airways Partners.

Etihad Airlines launches new airline alliance Etihad Airways Partners

October 8, 2014 3 Comments 349 Views

Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways has unveiled a new airline alliance called Etihad Airways Partners (EAP). The alliance is initially made-up of six airlines in which the Gulf behemoth has equity stakes, though it claims to offer partnership opportunities for any airline wishing to join, even if it is part of any existing alliance such as airberlin which is a oneworld member. The six initial members of the partnership are airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Jet Airways, Darwin Airline, and Etihad Airways.

Bruno Matheu
Bruno Matheu
The new brand aims to offer customers a more unified network, synchronised schedules and uniform frequent flyer benefits. Airlines which are part of the EAP will collaborate and synergise operations such as shared sales teams, and joint procurement of services and supplies, and shared pilot and cabin crew training at Etihad’s facilities in Abu Dhabi.

Etihad has brought in Bruno Matheu, a 30 year airline industry veteran who used to head all long distance operations for Air France as the new Chief Operating officer of the EAP. Etihad, airberlin and Air France-KLM entered in to a code-shares agreement in 2012.

About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

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3 comments

  1. Shanky
    October 8, 2014 at 23:22

    Emirates, (& smaller ones like Oman Air, Gulf Air) is left alone or “aloof” without any alliances. Even Saudia joined Skyteam, Qatar(& Royal Jordanian) with One World. Expect Emirates to do something big bang !

    • Oussama
      October 10, 2014 at 02:51

      Emirates is not interested in alliances. Emirates is interested in developing the Dubai hub, look at the Qantas deal that moved their hub from Singapore to Dubai. If anything Emirates may come up with something similar, maybe with a carrier from China.

  2. Oussama
    October 10, 2014 at 02:44

    The new alliance will probably have to seek anti trust immunity from the USA and the EU similar to the other alliances. Already the EU is investigating code shares between Airberlin and Etihad and the Swiss are looking at the equity stake in Etihad Regional. Things will get more interesting and complicated when Alitalia joins.

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