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SAA to launch daily Joburg, Abu Dhabi route

11th December 2014

By: Natalie Greve

Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

  

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South African Airways (SAA) and Etihad Airways have announced a major expansion of their strategic partnership that will see the local national carrier
launch a daily service between Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi from March 29, 2015, which will complement Etihad Airways’ existing flights between the two cities and result in a combined double-daily frequency on the route.

Over 1 000 connections would also be offered each week over Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi hub to key markets including the Gulf Cooperation Council region, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and North and South East Asia.

The airlines had also significantly developed their codeshare agreement to include a total of 49 routes – more than double the previous number.

Subject to regulatory approval, Etihad Airways would place its ‘EY’ code on South African Airways’ new Johannesburg to Abu Dhabi flights, in addition to 16 of the airline’s other services from Johannesburg to key destinations across the African continent.

In return, SAA would place its ‘SA’ code on 32 Etihad Airways routes beyond Abu Dhabi to a range of destinations worldwide.

In addition, the airlines would enhance the alignment of their Etihad Guest and Voyager frequent flyer programmess, providing opportunities for members to earn and redeem miles.

“SAA and Etihad Airways continue to explore areas for further cooperation, including joint sales and marketing programmes and the coordination of procurement, facilities and airport operations.

“Together, these initiatives will optimise synergies between the airlines and provide guests with consistently high product and service levels at the most competitive price,” the South African airline said in a statement.

SAA acting CEO Nico Bezuidenhout noted that the multilayered partnership with Etihad Airways had been instrumental in allowing SAA to establish new connections between the African continent and other worldwide markets.

Under the second phase of cooperation, he believed the airline would better serve established regions such as North America, Europe and Australia, while strengthening its presence in fast-growing markets across the Middle East and Asia.

“In particular, the codeshare expansion is expected to support a planned adjustment of our network to strengthen access into the fast-growing China and India markets,” Bezuidenhout commented.

Etihad Airways president and CEO James Hogan added that the partnership between Etihad Airways and SAA had been “a resounding commercial success” for both airlines.

“Since our codeshare flights were first placed on sale in July last year, we have placed more than 20 000 passengers onto each other’s flights, and there is huge potential to significantly increase that number as the cooperation is developed in the coming years.

“Importantly, our expanded partnership will enhance the benefits that Etihad Airways and SAA offer to business and leisure travellers, such as improved connections, enhanced opportunities to earn and redeem miles and a more seamless experience,” he said.

Edited by Tracy Hancock
Creamer Media Contributing Editor

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