Qantas, Etihad to operate codeshare flights

The international flight network in the Middle East and Australasia will be improved this year as a result of a codeshare agreement between Qantas and Etihad Airways.

Four destinations in the Middle East will be added to Qantas' network through the deal - Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain and Beirut.

Etihad will see its route map extended by the addition of codeshare flights to Auckland in New Zealand from Australia, as well as domestic services linking destinations including Brisbane, Cairns and Sydney.

John Hogan, chief executive of Etihad, said: "We have a growing presence in Australia and are now pleased to be establishing this strategic codeshare relationship with Qantas."

Qantas general manager John Borghetti said the agreement represents a "significant strategic development" for the airline.

He added: "For the first time, Qantas will be able to offer direct access to multiple points in the Middle East from Sydney, Melbourne and from Brisbane."

Qantas also announced recently that it will be launching new flights linking seven Australian cities to Mumbai via Singapore on June 2nd.

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