Etihad Airways has
launched a new brand that embraces Etihad and five of its partner airlines in a
group that will align schedules and frequent flyer benefits.
Etihad Airways Partners
will initially include Etihad Airways, airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles,
India’s Jet Airways and Darwin Airline.
Darwin Airline is a
Swiss regional airline.
But the Abu Dhabi-based
carrier says Etihad Airways Partners differed from legacy airline alliances by
offering benefits well beyond pure commecial cooperation.
"We are a grouping of
like-minded airlines working together to improve our competitive offer against
those alliances (oneworld, Star Alliance and SkyTeam) and the major legacy
carriers," said an Etihad spokesperson.
The group will have its own
logo which, Etihad said in a statement, “is a seal of excellence and global
cooperation”. It will be displayed on aircraft and on branded materials by
airlines in the group.
Etihad has equity stakes in
each of its partner carriers, and said any airline can become an Etihad Airways
Partner even if it is part of an existing alliance.
Airberlin is a member of
oneworld.
The key emphasis for Etihad
Airways Partners is a strong commercial partnership and shared values, Etihad said.
This would result “in
synergies and efficiencies for participating airlines on the one side, and
enhanced network choice, service and frequent flyer benefits for the consumer
on the other".
Benefits will include
standardised mileage and tier benefits across all partners, no blackout periods
and priority services, Etihad said.