Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong Airlines, an internationally-acclaimed airline, have signed a codeshare agreement to provide travellers with enhanced connections between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Subject to regulatory approval, Etihad Airways will place its ‘EY’ code on Hong Kong Airlines’ flights between Hong Kong and Bangkok, allowing business and leisure travellers to book a round trip between Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi via Thailand’s capital.

In addition, the code will appear on flights between Hong Kong and Okinawa, a popular tourism destination in southern Japan.

Passengers of Hong Kong Airlines will also benefit from enhanced access across the Middle East and Europe under the partnership, with the airline’s ‘HX’ code being placed on Etihad Airways’ triple-daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Bangkok, together with two upcoming services that will connect Abu Dhabi to Madrid from March 29th 2015 and to Hong Kong from June 15th 2015.

Flights under the codeshare agreement can be booked from 23 December 2014 via travel agents or through the airlines’ sales offices and contact centres.
Passengers can travel from January 6th 2015, or in the case of Etihad Airways’ Hong Kong and Madrid services, from the launch dates.

Kevin Knight, chief strategy and planning officer at Etihad Airways, said: “Codeshares are a fundamental part of Etihad Airways’ long-term growth strategy and we are delighted to sign this agreement with Hong Kong Airlines.

“Our partnership will result in multiple benefits for both airlines and, importantly, there are considerable advantages for travellers as well, such as enhanced connections and a more frequent service between the various destinations covered.”

Etihad Airways was recently recognised as the World’s Leading Airline for the sixth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards.