Etihad signs codeshare agreement with Aer Arann
23. Jan, 2009
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Johannesburg – Etihad Airways is expanding its global network through the signing of a new codeshare agreement with Aer Arann in Ireland. Under the new codeshare agreement, which is now in force, South African travellers can look forward to easier connectivity to destinations including Dublin, Cork, Galway and the Isle of Man.
The codeshare agreement will in turn give air travellers in Ireland and the Isle of Man access, via Dublin, to Etihad’s home base of Abu Dhabi and beyond it to nearly 50 destinations on the airline’s global network which covers the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: “Etihad Airways has developed a strong affinity with Ireland, with Dublin quickly establishing itself as one of our most popular routes, enjoying average seat factors during 2008 of more than 80 per cent.
“There is great demand amongst our customers to travel beyond the Irish capital, which this new codeshare agreement now allows.”
Paul Schütz, Aer Arann’s chief executive, added: “The importance of regional access within Ireland to major international routes cannot be over-stated and this codeshare agreement is a very significant addition to the infrastructure supporting business and the economy in the Irish regions.
“Both business and leisure passengers can now enjoy seamless travel from Cork, Galway and the Isle of Man to the entire Etihad network.”
Etihad is the only carrier to fly direct from Ireland to the Middle East and beyond.
With effect from 28 March, Etihad’s revised schedule from Johannesburg will connect in Abu Dhabi to Dublin and onwards to the Aer Arran code-share destinations three days per week departing Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The new connections are expected to be particularly popular with travellers seeking to avoid London’s Heathrow airport as a transit point. Return fares from Johannesburg to Cork start at R6, 611, and to Galway at R6, 745. These fares are inclusive of all taxes and surcharges, but are subject to availability and ticket restrictions.
Amita Bhana, Tourism Ireland representative in South Africa, has welcomed the news, indicating that this initiative will give South Africans the flexibility to discover the entire island of Ireland and will contribute towards longer stays in the Emerald isle. “33 000 South Africans visited Ireland in 2008 and with the new codeshare and increased connectivity we hope to see that number increase in 2009,”says Amita.
Aer Arann is a regional airline based in Dublin, Ireland. The airline operated its first commercial flight in 1970. Under the deal, Etihad Airways will place its two-letter ‘EY’ code on Aer Arann’s regional flights from Dublin to Cork and Galway in Ireland and also to the Isle of Man.
The airline today operates more than 600 flights per week across 40 different routes between Ireland, France, and the United Kingdom.
My name is Muzi Mohale a full-time travel blogger, your host at Travelwires.com responsible for all editorial on this blog. I blog about the travel and tourism industry in Africa. Apart from blogging about tourism, I also run 
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