Above: The agreement also covers frequent flier programs and lounge services.
Tens of new routes are to be opened up between Asia, the Middle East, and further afield, as a result of a new partnership deal signed between Etihad Airways and Garuda Indonesia.
The broad terms of the agreement will enable Etihad to help Garuda access more destinations outside of Asia, while the Indonesian flag carrier will be Etihad’s partner in expanding eastwards. Passengers will, however, notice benefits in the more immediate future—Garuda passengers will be connected to 80 Etihad destinations in 50 countries.
In the first stage of the codesharing deal, which will take effect on October 28, Etihad will assign its EY code on Garuda flights between Jakarta and Bali, and Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. In return, Garuda will place its GY code on as many as 31 destinations in the Middle East, North America, and Europe.
Etihad chief executive James Hogan said that the deal would allow for 11 flights a week between Jakarta and Abu Dhabi, but the tie-up will have a direct impact on passengers flying on Garuda’s long-haul route to Amsterdam—all four weekly flights will be routed via Abu Dhabi, instead of Dubai, from December 2.
