The Gulf carriers Etihad Airways and Emirates Airlines were once quite rivals, but this has changed since 2018. They work together on a selective basis and maintain an interline agreement. The latter was recently expanded.

This summer, passengers of both airlines can purchase a single ticket for a flight to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, with a seamless return flight from the other airport. This is intended to increase tourism to the country from important source markets. The new agreement offers travelers wanting to explore the UAE the flexibility of a single ticket for their entire journey and convenient baggage handling.

Specifically, the two carriers are introducing a so-called open jaw option. This makes it possible, for example, to land with Emirates and Dubai and take the return flight with Eithad Airways from Abu Dhabi. The two cities are not very far apart, but there has been very little joint marketing activity in the past. This is also set to change in the future.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the Arabian Travel Market by Adnan Kazim, Emirates Chief Commercial Officer, and Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad Airways Chief Operating Officer, in the presence of Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, and Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad CEO, among others signed by senior officials.

“We are delighted to be collaborating again with Etihad Airways, enabling both airlines to offer a new range of seamless travel options to and from the UAE. Emirates and Etihad leverage their strengths to expand their respective customer offerings and promote tourism in the UAE. We believe this new agreement provides a solid foundation for developing further opportunities between the two airlines and exemplifies our commitment to the UAE's vision for further economic diversification,” said Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline.

“We are delighted to partner with Emirates in our shared mission of supporting tourism to the UAE and facilitating travel to our vibrant cities. The interline agreement between the two world-class airlines will make it easier for guests to experience the best of Abu Dhabi and Dubai on a single ticket. This is a win-win situation for travelers to the UAE,” says Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer.