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Etihad signs deals with Gulf Air and Moog
November 23rd 2018
Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways Group continues searching for new airline partners following its failed 'partners model'. Read More »
After fiercely denying suggestions that the UAE government was planning a merger of Etihad and Emirates Airline, Etihad has agreed to co-operate with Bahrain’s Gulf Air.
The MOU includes codeshare operations as preferred partners between and beyond their respective hubs, development of commercial agreements to enhance guest experiences, coordinated engineering and cargo services in Abu Dhabi and Manama and plans to offer reciprocal frequent flyer benefits.
The MOU was signed at the Bahrain International Airshow by group CEO of the Etihad Aviation Group, Tony Douglas, and Gulf Air CEO, Krešimir Kučko.
"The relationship between Bahrain and the UAE is strong in many fields including aviation and today with the signing of this MOU we enrich the relationship by cooperating with Etihad Airways. This is an example of how two airlines can work hand in hand for greater mutual benefits. We are happy to work with our friends and colleagues in Etihad and support each other to achieve bigger goals," the Gulf Air boss said.
"The deep ties between Abu Dhabi and Manama date back nearly 70 years. Therefore the natural way to build upon those ties is to examine ways in which the two flag carriers – Etihad and Gulf Air – can work more closely together to improve business operations and enhance the experience for our guests," said Etihad Aviation Group’s Tony Douglas.
The engineering and cargo divisions at the two airlines are to commence discussions about optimising MRO opportunities and strategies to increase freighter traffic between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.
Gulf Air operates four daily return flights between Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. Etihad flies three times a day with A320s between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.
Separately, Etihad Aviation Group has announced a "strategic" 15-year collaboration with MRO specialist Moog Inc that will provide Etihad Airways with global access to the Moog Inc. component pool and complete repair support on a range of parts on the airline’s fleet.
Moog Inc. will support Etihad Airways Engineering, including expanding the company’s onsite component capability to become a center of excellence for component repair and overhaul. This strategic move is the first step in the company’s ambition to grow in-house component capabilities.
"We are pleased to have signed a long-term partnership agreement with Etihad Airways and Etihad Airways Engineering and we look forward to building a long-lasting relationship with both organisations," said Moog commercial global support general manager, Mark Brooks.
