Air Malta and Etihad Airways sign codeshare agreement

This new agreement will come into effect on Friday 1st October and is expected to increase connectivity between Malta and Abu Dhabi.  Customers of Etihad Airways will be able to fly to Malta easier whilst Air Malta customers have been given access to Abu Dhabi-based airline’s network of more than 60 destinations.

The codeshare agreement will allow Etihad Airways to place its two-letter ‘EY’ code on services operated by Air Malta between Milan and Malta while Air Malta will place its ‘KM’ code on Etihad’s flights between Milan and Abu Dhabi.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, said, “Malta is one of Europe’s top leisure destinations and one that is also increasing a greater volume of business traffic.  This new codeshare with Air Malta will open up the market to Etihad Airways as well as provide access to our wealth of destinations to the residents of Malta.”

Joe Cappello, Chief Executive of Air Malta, said, “Through this codeshare with Etihad, more tourists from far-flung destinations can fly to Malta while the Maltese have an extensive network to avail themselves of both for business and leisure travel.”

“As a full service airline, Air Malta is in a position to enter into codeshare agreements with other reputable airlines and offer its customers seamless travel to destinations beyond its network,” added Mr. Cappello.

Codeshare agreements are also proving to be essential to increase flight connections and accessibility for the movement of cargo between countries in a faster manner which is beneficial to the industry.