Home Transport Aviation Emirates, Flydubai announce first flights under new partnership The carriers are also offering additional perks for Emirates passengers on flights codeshared with Flydubai by Robert Anderson October 2, 2017 Dubai’s government-owned carriers Emirates and Flydubai have announced the beginning of the first phase of their new partnership, including codeshare flights. The two carriers announced an agreement in July to expand their ties in areas including codesharing, commercial, network planning, airport operations, customer journey and frequent flyer programmes to improve returns. Read: Emirates and flydubai announce new partnership The initial phase will see Emirates expand its network to 29 Flydubai destinations for flights from October 29. Bookings for the codeshare routes will begin on October 3. “This is an exciting first step in unlocking the benefits of the partnership for passengers who will have the opportunity to enjoy the unique advantages each airline offers as well as greater choice and flexibility when connecting via Dubai. This is just the start and as we expand the partner network in the coming months we will open up more opportunities for our passengers to explore the world,” said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Group and chairman of Flydubai. The destinations • Asmara (Eritrea) • Belgrade (Serbia) • Kiev Zhulyany (Ukraine) • Juba (South Sudan) • Krasnodar (Russia) • Samara (Russia) • Kazan (Russia) • Mineralnye Vody (Russia) • Odessa (Ukraine) • Prague (Czech Republic) • Rostov-on-Don (Russia) • Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina) • Skopje (Macedonia) • Sofia (Bulgaria) • Tbilisi (Georgia) • Kuwait (Kuwait) • Baku (Azerbaijan) • Lucknow (India) • Ahwaz (Iran) • Bandar Abbas (Iran) • Esfahan (Iran) • Lar (Iran) • Shiraz (Iran) • Najaf (Iraq) • Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) • Muscat (Oman) • Salalah (Oman) • Yekaterinburg (Russia) • Bucharest (Romania) Emirates passengers who book flights under the codeshare will receive complimentary meals on Flydubai and the same checked baggage allowance as normal travel with the carrier in business and economy. The two will also offer a reduced minimum connection time between their Terminal 3 and Terminal 2 homes at Dubai International airport of 120 minutes. On top of these benefits, members of Emirates’ Skywards frequent flier programme will earn miles and receive other privileges on codeshares flights The carrier said silver, gold and platinum members will enjoy 12kg, 16kg and 20kg respectively of checked baggage allowance on flights operated by Flydubai, be able to use the carrier’s business check-in counters and receive priority tags. Gold members of Flydubai’s OPEN programme will also be able to use business check-in desks and receive priority baggage tag and delivery for Emirates flights. Future phases of the deal will see both carriers agree additional city pair codeshares and other frequent flier benefits. Together the two fly to 216 destinations and have a combined fleet of 317 wide-body aircraft and Boeing 737s, according to the July announcement. They are expected to reach a collective 240 destinations and 380 aircraft by 2022. The agreement comes as Emirates in particular has been hit by currency fluctuations, geopolitical uncertainty and US travel restrictions leading it to post an 82 per cent drop in profit in May, its first decline in five years. Read: Emirates airline posts 82% drop in annual profit 0 Comments