New one-ticket policy allows travellers to fly into Abu Dhabi and return from Dubai or vice versa
Hurray! Etihad Airways and Emirates Airline have joined forces to solve a major inconvenience for travellers who want to fly into one emirate and leave via the other.
Starting this summer, travellers can book a single ticket to fly into either Abu Dhabi or Dubai and then fly out from the other airport.
Previously, this could only be done by booking separate one-way tickets from either airline, whose combined cost is usually much more than buying a single return ticket. Plus, there is the inconvenience of having to book tickets and arrange transfers separately.
The new one-stop ticketing facility provides travellers who want to explore the UAE greater flexibility to plan a full itinerary covering multiple emirates, along with a more convenient baggage check-in service.
The ‘open jaw’ arrangement also gives visitors travelling into the UAE the option of ‘multi-city flights’, where they can travel from one city on both carriers’ networks, and return to another point served by either Etihad or Emirates.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed at Arabian Travel Market by Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer of Etihad Airways, and Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer, in the presence of Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad CEO, and Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline.
“We’re delighted to partner with Emirates in our shared mission to support inbound tourism to the UAE and facilitate travel to our vibrant cities,” said Neves.
“With two world-class airlines supporting UAE tourism, our interline agreement will make it more convenient for our guests to experience the best of Abu Dhabi and Dubai on one single ticket while promising to deliver an exceptional flying experience whether they fly with Etihad Airways or Emirates. It’s a win-win proposition for travellers to the UAE.”
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This is the second major collaboration between the two airlines. In 2018, Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) and Emirates Group Security signed an MoU to strengthen aviation security, including the sharing of information and intelligence in operational areas both within and outside the UAE.
“We are pleased to be working again with Etihad Airways – this time to allow each carrier to offer a new range of seamless travel options in and out of the UAE,” said Sir Tim Clark.
“Emirates and Etihad are leveraging on our strengths to expand our respective customer offerings and boost UAE tourism. We believe this new agreement provides a strong foundation to develop further opportunities between both airlines and is an example of our commitment to the UAE’s vision for continued economic diversification.”
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Image source Etihad Airways, Emirates
