Etihad, PIA sign code-share deal

Etihad Airways and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have signed a code-share agreement which will provide travellers with enhanced connections between the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and beyond, says a press release Tuesday in Dhaka.
Etihad Airways will place its EY code on PIA flights between Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Abu Dhabi.
In return, PIA's PK code will be placed on Etihad Airways' flights between Abu Dhabi and Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore and PK code will also be added to Etihad Airways' flights from Abu Dhabi to many of the global destinations operated by Etihad Airways.
Flights can be booked from30 June 2015 via travel agents or through the airlines' sales offices and contact centres. The first travel date will be 27July 2015. This will facilitate travellers with a choice of more than 70 destinations.
Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways' Chief Strategy and Planning Officer, said: "Our unique partner strategy has been highly successful and we are pleased to add Pakistan International Airlines to our growing list of successful code share partners."
Khurram Mushtaq, Director (Marketing) of Pakistan International Airlines, said: "This is indeed a great opportunity for PIA to join hands with Etihad Airways, connecting Pakistan to UAE and around the globe, expanding reach to more destinations for the convenience of valued passengers."
All passengers flying on Etihad Airways flights from Abu Dhabi to the United States are processed through the US Preclearance facility at Abu Dhabi Airport, which means they pass through all US immigration and customs checks in Abu Dhabi and arrive in the US as domestic passengers.
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2014 carried 14.8 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to or has announced 111 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas.