Etihad signs codeshare deal with Pakistan International Airlines

Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad and Pakistan International Airlines have signed a codeshare agreement to improve connectivity between the UAE and Pakistan.

Under the deal, Etihad will place its EY code on all PIA flights between Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Abu Dhabi.

In turn, PIA will place its PK code on all of Etihad’s flights between Abu Dhabi and Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. The code will also be added on Etihad flights to some global destinations, Etihad said.

The codeshare will provide travellers access to more than 70 destinations in the network. Both parties have also said they are exploring options for members of their frequent flyer programmes to accrue air miles when selecting codeshare flights.

Etihad has pursued a policy of equity partnerships and codeshare agreements to increase its passenger numbers and redirect traffic to its hub in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE carrier has stakes in India’s Jet Airways, Italy’s Alitalia, airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Virgin Australia and Swiss-based Darwin Airlines.

It also operates codeshares with a number of other carriers covering major destinations.

The airline’s policy has helped it strengthen its financial performance, boosting its revenues and passenger numbers.

Etihad raked in profits worth $73m in 2014, up 52.1 per cent from 2013, while earning revenues worth $7.6bn last year.

Overall, codeshare and equity partners delivered revenues of $1.1bn in 2014, up 37.7 per cent year-on-year. This represented 24 per cent of Etihad’s total passenger revenues.