Wednesday, June 5, 2024 Etihad Airways and China Eastern Airlines announce a revolutionary JV to expand UAE-China routes, enhancing connectivity and travel options for passengers. Today marks a significant achievement as Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and China Eastern Airlines, a leading global carrier, announce the formation of a Joint Venture (JV). This groundbreaking agreement, signed at Etihad Airways’ headquarters in Abu Dhabi, represents the first commercial JV between an airline from the Middle East and one from China.
The Etihad Airways-China Eastern Airlines JV will facilitate the joint development and expansion of routes between the UAE and China, thereby enhancing their combined network. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to providing more travel options and a seamless experience for passengers traveling between major Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an, and Kunming, and key cities in the UAE, Middle East, and Africa. The implementation of this joint venture is set for early 2025, pending all necessary regulatory approvals.
Furthermore, by the final quarter of 2024, both airlines will introduce full reciprocity in their frequent flyer programs, allowing passengers to earn and redeem points seamlessly across both airlines. Chairman Wang Zhiqing added: “Both China Eastern Airlines and Etihad Airways have strong global hubs, and our cooperation is highly complementary, covers a broad scope, and has gr.