Israeli, UAE Airlines Announce Cooperation Deal
The UAE and Israeli flag-carriers announced a codeshare cooperation deal on Thursday, the latest sign of deepening ties between the two nations following September's normalization of diplomatic relations.
The move follows Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's visit to the UAE this week to inaugurate the country's first Gulf embassy in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi.
The airlines said in a statement they had "launched their joint codeshare network and reciprocal loyalty agreement for frequent flyers".
"This builds on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) the airlines signed in 2020 following the Abraham Accords signed by the UAE and Israel," it added.
Under the agreement, El Al will sell tickets and offer frequent flier points to its members for the twice-weekly Etihad service between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv from July 18.
Pending regulatory approval, Etihad will then begin to sell tickets for 14 routes operated by El Al as well as offering benefits to its frequent fliers.
"We are very pleased to be able to announce the launch of our codeshare and frequent flyer partnership with El Al," said Etihad chief executive Tony Douglas.
From oil to tourism to cutting-edge technologies, the two countries hope to benefit from an economic dividend following the normalization agreement.
01 July 2021, 17:09
20
"From oil to tourism to cutting-edge technologies, the two countries hope to benefit from an economic dividend following the normalization agreement."
If only there could be another agreement, on the same lines between Lebanon and Israel.
02 July 2021, 15:01
20
Isn't it interesting, and very sad, that there is at least one person who is not interested in seeing Lebanon benefit from normalization in the region.
03 July 2021, 03:01
10
honorable peace is better then bribed peace, like Sudan, Morraco and Jordan. hey Israeli Stooge , let me know when Israelis can walk visibly in Egypt streets with no fear.
03 July 2021, 03:03
10
honorable peace is better then bribed peace, like Sudan, Morraco and Jordan. hey Israeli Stooge , let me know when Israelis can walk visibly in Egypt streets with no fear.
03 July 2021, 16:42
10
1948 - So what you are actually saying is that the governments of Sudan, Morocco and Jordan are corrupt. Next time, think before you write your responses.
Israelis have walked visibly on the streets of Egypt for many years, as have Egyptians on the streets of Israel.
