Etihad and Virgin Blue Group partnership opens up 44 new destinations for travellers from Kuwait
16-Sep-2010 Etihad Airways said today that its partnership with Virgin Blue Group will offer customers in Kuwait an expanded global network and increased opportunities to travel throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and to Asia and Los Angeles.
The partnership will also offer increased loyalty rewards through its fully reciprocal Etihad Guest and Velocity frequent flyer programs, along with reciprocal service benefits and lounge access for top tier members of both programs. The ability for members to burn miles on both carriers' services comes into effect from October 1.
To celebrate the partnership and to promote the joint network on offer, Etihad has launched a range of special introductory fares. Return fare deals from Kuwait, inclusive of taxes:
- Auckland at KWD 635
- Nadi at KWD 579
- Adelaide at KWD 679
- Gold Coast at KWD 544
- Ayres Rock at KWD 634
- Carins at KWD 679
- Sunshine Coast at KWD 553
- Canberra at KWD 638
Etihad is also launching the Australia Skypass, a new fare product that allows inbound tourists to fly all over Australia and New Zealand on up to six domestic/Tasman sectors from USD$55 per sector.
Mr.Magdi Labib, Etihad Airways' Country Manager in Kuwait said: "This new partnership is a win-win situation for travellers from Kuwait, offering more choice and convenience.
"We believe the Australia Skypass will be very popular for tourists who want to see more of Australia and access secondary points such as Tasmania and Far North Queensland, as well as enhance connectivity between the major capital cities."
The commercial partnership between Etihad and Virgin Blue Group, announced in Sydney on August 26, will enable Virgin Blue's international arm, V Australia, to launch direct services to Abu Dhabi in 2011 and will enable the two airlines offer a joint network of more than 100 destinations from October 1, 2010.
Together, Etihad and V Australia will move towards a total of 27 weekly services between Abu Dhabi and Australia - including double-daily services between Abu Dhabi and Sydney, daily Melbourne-Abu Dhabi flights and six frequencies per week between Abu Dhabi and Brisbane.
Australia will operate three Sydney-Abu Dhabi services per week from February 2011 and three Brisbane-Abu Dhabi services per week by February 2012, using its new fleet of three-class Boeing 777-300ER and becoming the first Australian carrier to operate to the Middle East since 1991.
Under the agreement, the two airlines will explore further avenues of cooperation, and will lodge an application for authorisation with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to allow them to cooperate across a broad range of commercial functions.
To book introductory fares and the Australia Skypass, call X or go to X.