UAE, Germany discuss increasing flights following Etihad dispute

The UAE’s minister of economy Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri and Germany’s ambassador to the UAE Eckhard Wilhelm have discussed increasing flights between the two countries.

The announcement carried on state news agency WAM comes after a German court revoked Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad’s codeshare rights on 31 routes operated by airberlin at the end of last year.

Al Mansouri said increasing flights between the two countries and allowing Emirati airlines to operate flights to more destinations in Germany would enhance investment and tourism.

Around 50,000 Germans visit the UAE every year.

“We seek to bolster our excellent relations with friendly Germany. Trade between the two countries stood at Dhs 45bn in 2014. Some 1,000 German companies are doing business in the UAE. The UAE is home to more than 12,000 German nationals,” he said, adding that the UAE is Germany’s largest regional trade partner and Germany was the emirates’ fourth largest exporter.

The Etihad/airberlin codeshare deal was first disputed in August 2014 when Germany’s transport ministry said that it did not fall under the air services agreement between the two countries.

Etihad, which owns a 29.2 per cent stake in airberlin, said it would appeal against the ruling.