Etihad Airways’ codeshare with Japanese airline ANA has come into service.

Just weeks before the commencement of services to Tokyo, the ANA codeshare offers Etihad customers from all over the world the opportunity to fly to two major Japanese destinations, with a third to follow at the end of this month.

The new deal will also give air travellers in Japan greater and easier access to the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s network of 60 destinations.

The codeshare sees ANA place its two-letter ‘NH’ code on the four weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Nagoya. In turn, Etihad’s ‘EY’ code is currently used on ANA operated flights between Nagoya and both Sapporo and Fukuoka.

As Etihad launches its services to Narita at the end of this month, the codeshare will be extended with ‘NH’ code on the Abu Dhabi Narita service and ‘EY’ code on domestic services operated by ANA between Narita and Osaka Itami.

The increased cooperation between the two airlines will also encompass both airlines frequent flyer programs. From March, members of both ANA Mileage Club and the Etihad Guest program will be able to earn and redeem miles on flights across both airline networks.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said, “This codeshare agreement with ANA will enable us to offer international connections to a broader local market – as we establish ourselves among Japanese travellers.”

Etihad Airways has 20 other codeshare agreements in place.-TradeArabia News Service