Speculations about a possible merger between Emirates and Etihad have been dismissed by the chairman and CEO of the Dubai-based airline, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, said a report.

“I don’t think the government in any way or shape between Abu Dhabi or Dubai has talked about a merger. But we can always do things together, in terms of buying things together, using our facilities together within the UAE but also abroad,” a report in Gulf Times cited Shaikh Ahmad as saying.

Emirates Group Security and Etihad Aviation Group in January signed a deal to cooperate in aviation security, the first deal between the two companies.

Emirates said at the time that the agreement signals the importance of collaboration on security, but the deal fuelled speculation that the two aviation companies might merge, especially with Etihad currently undergoing a review of its strategy, the report said.

Sheikh Ahmed added that a possible partnership could emerge between Emirates and the UAE’s national airline in terms of ground handling, it said.