From Abu Dhabi to Eastern Europe: Etihad’s latest deal opens the door to 10 new destinations
The move is expected to simplify travel for both business and leisure passengers while strengthening connectivity between the UAE and Eastern Europe
08 June, 2026
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Etihad Airways has signed a new codeshare agreement with TAROM, Romania’s national airline, expanding its footprint across Eastern Europe and strengthening travel links between Romania and Abu Dhabi.
The agreement was signed during the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro and is expected to enhance connectivity for travellers across both carriers’ networks.
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Under the partnership, Etihad customers will be able to book a single ticket connecting through Bucharest to six Romanian cities served by TAROM: Baia Mare, Cluj-Napoca, Iasi, Oradea, Suceava and Timisoara.
The agreement also provides access to four Eastern European capitals, Belgrade, Budapest, Chisinau and Sofia, through TAROM’s regional network.
This makes 10 destinations to the customers.
At the same time, passengers travelling from Romania will gain improved access to Abu Dhabi through Etihad’s upcoming Bucharest service, according to a WAM report.
Supporting Bucharest route launch
The codeshare agreement comes ahead of Etihad’s planned Abu Dhabi–Bucharest route, which is scheduled to launch on December 17, 2026. Once the service begins operations, travellers will be able to book journeys on a single ticket between Bucharest and destinations across Etihad’s global network, with baggage checked through to their final destination.
The move is expected to simplify travel for both business and leisure passengers while strengthening connectivity between the UAE and Eastern Europe.
For Romanian travellers, the partnership creates a direct gateway to Abu Dhabi and onward connections to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia through Etihad’s expanding network.
Executives highlight growth opportunities
Arik De, Etihad Airways chief revenue and commercial officer, said: “TAROM gives Etihad real depth in Eastern Europe: a flag carrier shaped by more than seven decades of European aviation, and an established network reaching across the country and the wider region. Launching this codeshare ahead of our own Bucharest service means we enter a fast-growing market with genuine scale from day one.”
Mircea Nicolae Cotoros, TAROM chief commercial officer, said: “This codeshare with Etihad Airways extends TAROM’s international reach and gives passengers a new connection between Bucharest and Abu Dhabi. It strengthens the link between Romania and the Middle East, supports the continued growth of our network and fosters cultural and economic exchanges.”
The addition of TAROM further strengthens Etihad’s growing partnership strategy. With the Romanian carrier joining its network, Etihad now has 47 codeshare partners and more than 130 interline agreements, making it the largest partner network among non-alliance airlines.
The expanded network provides travellers with single-ticket access and through-fare connectivity to more than 350 destinations worldwide, reinforcing Etihad’s position as it pursues continued international growth.























