Hong Kong Airlines and Etihad Airways expand codeshare with enhanced connectivity to New Zealand and Europe

Hong Kong Airlines, an internationally-acclaimed Skytrax 4-star airline, has announced an expanded codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, to give air travellers enhanced connections between Australasia, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America.

The two airlines have obtained regulatory approval to codeshare on nine additional routes, bringing the total number of services in their codeshare agreement to 14.

Under the expanded codeshare agreement, Hong Kong Airlines has placed its ‘HX’ code on Etihad Airways’ flights between Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the UAE, and a number of the most-visited cities in Europe and North America, including Paris, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Manchester, Milan, Munich, New York and Zurich.

Etihad Airways has placed its ‘EY’ code on Hong Kong Airlines’ scheduled flights between Hong Kong and Auckland, the thriving multi-cultural tourism hub of New Zealand.

Li Dianchun, Chief Commercial Officer of Hong Kong Airlines, said: “We are glad to strengthen the partnership with Etihad Airways through a codeshare expansion. There is an increasingly strong demand in Asia for travel to the GCC region, Europe and the Americas. On the other hand, the visitors from the GCC region and even Europe will also enjoy convenient connections via Hong Kong to Auckland, one of the most popular destinations in the southern hemisphere. We have no doubt the enhanced connectivity will provide a wider range of choices while experiencing the world-class services and products offered by both airlines.”

Kevin Knight, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer at Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Our codeshare agreement with Hong Kong Airlines was initiated in 2014 with a primary focus on enhanced connectivity between Asia and the Middle East. Ever since then, we have continuously reviewed opportunities to provide improved offerings and greater access to our customers in Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and beyond. The expanded codeshare will drive commercial opportunities for both airlines, and more importantly unleash the true benefits of the partnership by offering business and leisure travellers enhanced connections and a more frequent service between Australasia, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America.”

Etihad Airways and Hong Kong Airlines initiated their codeshare agreement in December 2014, allowing Etihad Airways to place its ‘EY’ code on Hong Kong Airlines’ flights between Hong Kong and Bangkok, and on flights between Hong Kong and Okinawa, while Hong Kong Airlines placed its ‘HX’ code on Etihad Airways’ service between Abu Dhabi and Bangkok. The codeshare partnership was expanded in June 2015 with ‘HX’ code on Etihad Airways’ Madrid and Hong Kong services.

Etihad Airways will increase the frequency of its Madrid service from four flights a week to daily from 1 June 2017, with Hong Kong Airlines also codesharing on the additional flight.