Dubai’s Emirates and Bahrain’s Gulf Air unveil codeshare plans

On Sunday, Dubai carrier Emirates and Bahrain’s Gulf Air signed an MoU to develop a stronger commercial cooperation between both airlines.

The MoU will set the framework between both carriers to establish a potential codeshare cooperation across the networks of each airline, extending reciprocal loyalty benefits on Emirates’ Skywards and Gulf Air’s Falconflyer, and discussions are also underway to initiate cargo cooperation.

The MoU was signed on the first day of the Dubai Airshow 2021 by Sir Tim Clark, president Emirates Airline and Captain Waleed AlAlawi, Gulf Air’s acting CEO.

Customers travelling on Emirates and Gulf Air’s operated flights can book single-ticket travel, and one-stop baggage check-in to their final destinations.

Emirates will initially place its “EK” marketed code on Gulf Air operated flights between Bahrain and Dubai, and reciprocally, Gulf Air will add its “GF” marketed code to Emirates routes.

“This will be a remarkable partnership between one of the first airlines in the Gulf region and one of the biggest carriers in the world. Gulf Air and Emirates operate multiple flights between Bahrain and Dubai and this agreement will provide passengers with more choices beyond our hubs,” said Captain AlAlawi.

Once the codeshare is activated, customers will be able to book their travel with both airlines on either of the carrier’s channels.

In February, another UAE airline, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, signed a Strategic Commercial Cooperation Agreement (SCCA) with Gulf Air to broaden commercial cooperations between the two airlines.