United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag carrier Etihad Airways has signed a codeshare agreement with Avianca Brasil in the Abu Dhabi-based carrier’s latest move to increase its penetration in the South American market.
Under the agreement, Etihad will put its EY code on domestic flights operated by Avianca Brasil, while the Brazilian airline will put its O6 designator on Etihad's flights between Abu Dhabi and São Paulo.
Etihad passengers flying between São Paulo and Abu Dhabi and beyond will benefit from connections to and from eight other Brazilian destinations on Avianca Brasil, including Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, Florianópolis, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife, Salvador and Maceió.
“Avianca is an important strategic partner for Etihad Airways in South America,” Etihad SVP-Americas Martin Drew said. “In addition to the codeshare agreement recently signed with Avianca Colombia, we are further strengthening our presence in Brazil by offering our guests more convenience and connections with a single combined ticket.”
“Through its main hub in Abu Dhabi, Etihad will offer our customers options of connection flights, especially to destinations in Africa, Asia and Oceania, where Avianca Brasil doesn’t operate directly,” Avianca Brasil president Frederico Pedreira added.
São Paulo became Etihad’s first destination in South America in June 2013. Avianca Brasil serves 22 cities in its home country with more than 200 daily flights.
