Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has signed a new codeshare agreement with TAP Portugal, the national carrier of Portugal.

The deal offers Etihad Airways passengers new flight options to destinations in Portugal including Lisbon, Faro, Funchal (Madeira) and Porto. 

The agreement – Etihad Airways’ 34th such commercial partnership – continues the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s global network expansion.

Under the codeshare, Etihad Airways will place its ‘EY’ code on services operated by TAP Portugal from Lisbon to Brussels, Düsseldorf, Faro, Frankfurt, Funchal, Geneva, London, Milan, and Porto.  TAP Portugal flights from Porto to Brussels and Geneva will also carry the ‘EY’ code, a statement said.

TAP will place its ‘TP’ code on Etihad Airways flights to and from Brussels, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva, London, and Milan.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive officer, said: “This new codeshare illustrates Etihad’s growing ambitions in Europe. It opens up four key destinations in Portugal that we have been eager to offer our customers for a long time and we are certain the connections and seamless flight experience offered by Etihad Airways and TAP Portugal will appeal to business and leisure travellers.”

Fernando Pinto, TAP Portugal’s chief executive officer, said:  “TAP has been very active in providing new and more diverse quality services to its worldwide customer base. Through this new agreement with Etihad Airways, TAP will be reaching the United Arab Emirates for the first time ever, not only offering faster and more convenient links between the Gulf region and Portugal, but also attracting and carrying new passengers to its own network, based at its functional Lisbon hub.” – TradeArabia News Service