Etihad Airways is spreading its reach further into Asia through a strategic tie-up with Philippine Airlines.
The deal covers codeshare flights, loyalty programmes, airport lounges, joint sales and marketing programmes and the coordination of airport operations at their Abu Dhabi and Manila hubs.
The partners will initially place their respective ‘PR’ and ‘EY’ codes on each other’s Manila-Abu Dhabi flights to operate a combined total of 19 weekly flights between the two capitals.
Etihad will also place its ‘EY’ code on Philippine Airlines flights from Manila to 20 destinations throughout the Philippines in the a phase, increasing to 28 during 2014.
Etihad Airways’ prresident and chief executive James Hogan said: “What is particularly significant about the new commercial arrangements is that our millions of customers are the winners.
“From a greater choice of passenger and freight codeshare destinations, to reciprocal loyalty programme benefits, and more efficient terminal operations – this is a truly customer-centric proposition.”
PAL president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said: “This new agreement is one of the ways by which PAL hopes to further build its global network.
“By harmonising our products, we get to offer our passengers much wider and better travel options all over the world while boosting economic activity for both our countries through trade and tourism.”