Etihad and China Eastern Airlines have signed an MoU to broaden their existing partnership, enhancing commercial and operational ties.
The airlines plan to widen this partnership to include an expanded codeshare, cargo transport, MRO, ground handling, loyalty programmes, staff training and sustainability initiatives.
This MoU is anticipated to facilitate China Eastern’s plans to begin services to Abu Dhabi, boosting its ongoing discussions with Abu Dhabi Airports and other key stakeholders.
The combination of China Eastern and Etihad’s services would coincide with the newly opened Terminal A at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Li Yangmin, President of China Eastern Airlines Group, said: “The MoU builds upon our existing cooperation. It makes possible an agreement that would allow us to collaborate in real and practical ways as part of the continually flourishing relationship between China and the UAE.
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, added that the MoU: “…paves the way for an agreement that will boost Abu Dhabi’s economic development, as well as supporting China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’.”
