The year-old alliance between airberlin and Etihad Airways has allowed the carriers to deliver more than 300,000 passengers onto each other’s networks and collectively generate more than €100 million in additional revenues, far outstripping the initial estimates, the carriers report.
During the past 12 months the partners have also begun implementing a detailed procurement strategy which has already had an impact on international fuel purchasing, ground handling and ground services that will bring multi-million dollar savings for both airlines.The carriers report a combined flight network of more than 239 destinations worldwide
Hartmut Mehdorn, airberlin’s CEO, said: “With airberlin’s extensive European offering and the global orientation of Etihad Airways, we have proven from day one that we were able to maximize the potential of our strategic partnership. With more than 219.000 additional guests for airberlin, coming from our co-operation we have generated additional revenues around €50 million."
“Within a year, our codeshare offering has jumped to 87 connections. Currently, airberlin and Etihad Airways offer 239 joint destinations in 77 countries. We are continuously expanding this range, currently with new destinations in Asia such as Tokyo and Beijing which Etihad Airways flies to via its home airport Abu Dhabi," Hehdorn said.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ president and CEO, said: “A year ago, almost to the day, we announced that we would lift our stake in airberlin to 29 per cent. Through revenues generated, and cost saving initiatives, Etihad Airways has already recouped its initial investment of US$ 105 million."
“More than 300,000 additional passengers have flowed into the networks of both airlines in 2012 and that figure is set to increase considerably in 2013 as the impact of closer cooperation across almost every division of each carrier comes to fruition," Hogan said.
airberlin and Etihad Airways announced earlier in the year that the airlines would integrate their Boeing 787 Dreamliner programs. The move, which involves 56 aircraft, will save millions of dollars for both carriers which together represent the largest single order for the Boeing 787.
In addition to the Boeing 787 program, Etihad Airways will offer airberlin a range of benefits from its US$ 1 billion deal with travel technology provider Sabre Airline Solutions.
As part of the Sabre agreement, Etihad Airways will implement cutting-edge, integrated software across its reservations, inventory, marketing, planning, eCommerce, distribution and departure control operations.
airberlin and Etihad Airways have also integrated the topbonus and Etihad Guest frequent flyer programs and members can earn award and status miles on each other’s airlines.
airberlin flies to 170 destinations in 40 countries and is Germany's second largest airline.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, began operations in 2003, and in 2011 carried 8.3 million passengers. Abu Dhabi International Airport is its hub.
Visit www.etihad.com or www.airberlin.com