An expanded pact has been agreed between Emirates and loss-making Malaysia Airlines as part of a restructuring of the Asian carrier by new chief executive Christoph Mueller.
The codeshare partnership builds on an existing interline agreement between the two airlines.
The aim is to give passengers a seamless international network connecting Malaysia to more than 90 destinations on Dubai-based Emirates’ network across Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Americas.
Malaysia Airlines will add its code on Emirates flights to Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Americas. In return, Emirates will add its code on Malaysia Airlines flights to domestic routes in Malaysia, south-east Asia and cities across the Asia Pacific region.
Malaysia Airlines’ passengers will have access to 38 European, 15 Americas and 38 destinations in the Middle East and Africa and Indian Ocean, while Emirates’ customers will have access to Malaysia Airlines’ Asia Pacific network with up to 300 daily departures in the region.
The codeshare will be implemented progressively throughout 2016 subject to regulatory approvals with sales starting from February 1.
Mueller, who joined Malaysia Airlines seven months ago from Aer Lingus after the Asian carrier suffered two disasters, said: “The strategic partnership paves the path towards an integrated customer proposition offering for both airlines.
“The improved connectivity will enable Malaysia Airlines customers to reach up to 38 destinations in Europe on a daily and even double daily basis for key European cities such as Zurich, Rome, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, and Barcelona.
“This partnership gives our customers access to a dramatically expanded range of travel options. It is a great way for customers to travel seamlessly to major cities across the world.
“Furthermore, Dubai is a tourism, trade and logistics hub which has earned itself the reputation as being the gateway between the east and the west.
“Not only will this provide Malaysians unprecedented super-connectivity to the whole world, it will also make it much easier for travellers from all corners of the globe to visit Malaysia and experience its rich culture, nature and Malaysian hospitality.
“This is part of the national carrier’s initiative towards enhancing air connectivity with key priority markets overseas for increased tourist arrivals into Malaysia.”
Emirates’ president, Sir Tim Clark, said: “Our new codeshare agreement with Malaysia Airlines will enable our passengers to experience new destinations and improved connectivity in the ever-popular south-east Asia region, and also additional comforts such as reciprocal lounge access and priority check-in.
“Malaysia Airlines’ extensive network in the emerging south-east Asia region perfectly complements Emirates’ global network and enhances the choice of travel destinations for customers in both the business and leisure segment.”