Etihad and Air Berlin get closer

[markis10]

Interesting news incl the FF hookup:

Cookies must be enabled | The Australian

Air Berlin said today that Etihad would get two seats on the Air Berlin board, while increasing its stake to 29.21 per cent and pledging to invest up to $255 million over the next five years to support fleet development and future network growth.
The two airlines will connect their networks and frequent flyer programs, offering travellers 239 destinations in 77 countries.

 

[TheInsider]

Isn't Air Berlin joining OneWorld shortly, and doesn't AA already have codeshare agreements with them? Hmmmmmm

 

[elbarto]

AB need money and EY were there to provide it. I doubt it will effect it entry into oneworld.

 

[dajop]

EY has codeshare interests with Skyteam, oneworld, Star Alliance, future oneworld (MH) and non-aligned carriers. Don't know if they have board members of any of these airlines though.

 

[TheInsider]

AB need money and EY were there to provide it. I doubt it will effect it entry into oneworld.

Not really thinking of their entry, thinking will EY finally join an alliance shortly!

 

[pauly7]

AB need money and EY were there to provide it. I doubt it will effect it entry into oneworld.

Nope it won't they are still locked for March.

 

[elbarto]

Not really thinking of their entry, thinking will EY finally join an alliance shortly!

It's possible, but ACCC might have something to say if QF want to codeshare to AUH if they join OW.


Sent from an Apple wireless device

 

[drron]

And there is a deal between EY and HU.
Etihad Airways Signs Codeshare With Hainan Airlines - Abu Dhabi City Guide
And AA and HU are doing a similiar deal-
American and Hainan Airlines Agree to Codeshare and Link Frequent-Flyer Programs
And reports HU will also buy into AB-
Business China | Finance, Economics, Business and Industry news from China
Unfortunately HU have pulled out of buying into MA-
Hungary Seeks European Airline Investor as Hainan Pulls Out - Bloomberg
That really would have got the OW tongues wagging.
And even crikey getting into the speculation and a link between HU and JQ-
Hainan Airlines does code share deal with American | Plane Talking

So 2012 may very well turn out an interesting year for One World.

 

[elbarto]

CX would probably block the entry of Hainan or could leave OW altogether if they were to enter.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[dk4]

It's possible, but ACCC might have something to say if QF want to codeshare to AUH if they join OW.

Etihad and Qantas were getting pretty cozy (http://www.australianfrequentflyer....antas-etihad-code-share-selected-16778-2.html) until "something" happened.

It is very possible that EY wants to join Oneworld in the long term (given the strategic partnerships they are forging), and maybe their joint venture with VA was designed only as a short term negotiation tactic with QF?

Then again, VA's joint venture with DL, seems to smack of the same approach, with regard to UA (their former North American partner & current Star Alliance member)?

 

[drron]

Though CX have denied leaving One World-
Cathay Pacific reaffirms oneworld commitment | Plane Talking
And if they jumped to *A they would have even more Asian competition.Several of *A airlines may object.

Even Skyteam have more Asian members than One World.And Chinese members so whatever alliance CX choose there almost certainly will be Chinese competition.

 

[dajop]

Etihad and Qantas were getting pretty cozy (http://www.australianfrequentflyer....antas-etihad-code-share-selected-16778-2.html) until "something" happened.

It is very possible that EY wants to join Oneworld in the long term (given the strategic partnerships they are forging), and maybe their joint venture with VA was designed only as a short term negotiation tactic with QF?

Then again, VA's joint venture with DL, seems to smack of the same approach, with regard to UA (their former North American partner & current Star Alliance member)?

Or maybe they just take the opportunities where they can. It seems Middle Eastern airlines (with the exceptions of RJ, and if you count Egypt, Egyptair) have generally shunned the alliances. Looking at Etihad codeshare partners, they include Oneword (present and future) x 5 (AA, AB, MA, S7, MH), ; Star Alliance x 6 (NH, NZ, BD, SN, TP, TK) ; Sky team x 3 (AZ, OK, VN) and 14 non-aligned carriers (although most fairly minor, except VA). Even their FF partners are split between the different groups. Of course there are plenty of precedents, eg QF codeshares with both skyteam and star alliance members (OZ, SA, MU) and limited points earning on other alliance carriers including MU, AZ & SA.

 

[elbarto]

Etihad and Qantas were getting pretty cozy (http://www.australianfrequentflyer....antas-etihad-code-share-selected-16778-2.html) until "something" happened.

It is very possible that EY wants to join Oneworld in the long term (given the strategic partnerships they are forging), and maybe their joint venture with VA was designed only as a short term negotiation tactic with QF?

Then again, VA's joint venture with DL, seems to smack of the same approach, with regard to UA (their former North American partner & current Star Alliance member)?

Could be. The agreement with DJ is only for five years, so maybe by the time that agreement is read to expire they could be ready to make a move into an alliance.

 

[Major]

Received this from Etihad

[TABLE="width: 382, align: left"]
[TR]
[TD][TABLE="width: 360, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Dear
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]We’re proud to announce an exciting new partnership designed to connect you better. Etihad Airways, the World’s Leading Airline*, is now a strategic partner with airberlin, Germany’s second largest airline. And that’s great news for you.

It means we now offer you a combined network of 239 destinations across 77 countries. If you’re flying into Europe, you’ll be able to seamlessly connect to 45 cities. And if you’re flying from Europe, you’ll have a whole new world of choice for travel to the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australasia, via our hub in Abu Dhabi. One network. One ticket.

From January 15th 2012, airberlin will commence flights from Berlin to Abu Dhabi, four days a week. At the same time, the partnership with airberlin will bring you the following benefits:
[TABLE="width: 360"]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Collect and redeem miles on all flights with Etihad and airberlin (including tier and cabin bonus miles)
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Status credit earning
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Priority Check-in and boarding for top tier members
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Excess baggage allowance for top tier members
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Visit etihad.com for more details. To book, contact Etihad or your local travel agent.

*2009 & 2010 World Travel Awards.

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]