Dubai-based Emirates and TAP Portugal, the national airline of the country, have entered into a reciprocal codeshare agreement enabling passengers from both airlines to benefit from seamless connections effective December 21.

The reciprocal codeshare will permit customers to enjoy the convenience of a single combined ticket for Emirates and TAP Portugal-operated flights, in addition to linking Emirates’ frequent flyer programme, Skywards, and TAP’s Victoria frequent flyer programme.

Under the agreement, Emirates’ flight number will be placed on TAP services from Lisbon to Porto, Faro and Funchal in Portugal as well as Seville, Madrid and Barcelona in Spain.

TAP will place its code and flight number on several Emirates’ services between Lisbon and Dubai, to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

“Europe is a strategic market for Emirates with a strong level of growth and customer engagement in 2012.  This new codeshare agreement with TAP is another key element in our expansion plan across the region,” said Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ executive vice president, Passenger Sales Worldwide.

“In addition to convenient connections, the reciprocal frequent flyer agreement offers additional benefits for our valued Skywards members by enabling them to earn and redeem their Skywards Miles when flying with TAP.

“Both airlines are well positioned to benefit from the increasing demand for business and leisure travel between Portugal and the UAE, as well as points beyond our Dubai hub in the Middle and Far East. TAP is the leading airline in Portugal and we look forward to growing this relationship as we continue on our strong growth trajectory,” he added.

Frequent flyers of both airlines will be able to accrue and redeem Skywards Miles with Emirates and Victoria Bonus Miles with TAP and will benefit from one-stop check-in and baggage transfer to their connecting flight.

Mileage redemptions will be available on a reciprocal basis, for both Economy and Business Class flights.  Skywards members will be able to accrue Skywards Miles when flying in Economy or Executive Class with TAP.  Victoria members travelling on Emirates’ flights will be able to accrue Miles in Economy Class, Business Class and First Class.

“By code-sharing with Emirates on their flights to Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, TAP will be able to provide its customers with a more direct, convenient and wider choice of services to Asia and the Gulf. The new offer will also make it more attractive for passengers to fly through Lisbon on their travels between points in TAP’s network and Dubai,” said José Guedes Dias, TAP Portugal, vice-president Alliances and External Relations.

Emirates currently operates a daily non-stop flight to Lisbon Airport with its 274 seat Boeing 777-200ER. – TradeArabia News Service