Abu Dhabi’s Etihad, Bahrain’s Gulf Air sign cooperation deal

Bahrain’s Gulf Air and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways said on Wednesday they would explore greater cooperation after signing an initial memorandum of understanding.

The deal, signed at the Bahrain International Airshow covers codeshare flights between Abu Dhabi and Manama and other routes in both airlines’ global networks.

Further cooperation could come in cargo traffic, maintenance, repair and engineering operations, guest experience and pilot training, the airlines said.

While reciprocal frequent flier benefits are also being explored.

“We look forward to the Etihad and Gulf Air teams coming together during the next few months to look at how we can put that in place, whether it is in codeshare, engineering, cargo, or through our frequent flyer programmes,” said Etihad Group CEO Tony Douglas.

Etihad, which is currently undergoing a restructuring after posting a $1.52bn loss for 2017, announced a similar deal last month with Saudi flag carrier Saudia.

Read: Abu Dhabi’s Etihad enters commercial partnership with Saudia

Gulf Air also said last month it could lay off some Bahraini nationals after reporting losses in recent years.

Read: Bahrain’s Gulf Air mulling laying off nationals

Gulf Air operates four flights a day between Bahrain and Abu Dhabi and Etihad operates three.