Emirates and Gulf Air today signed a new unilateral codeshare agreement on the first day of the Bahrain International Airshow. The partnership is scheduled to start next December, although it must still obtain regulatory approval.
Tim Clark, CEO of Emirates, and Waleed Al Alawi, CEO of Gulf Air, signed the agreement at an event that was also attended by Zayed R. Alzayani, Chairman of Gulf Air’s Board of Directors, and other members of the management teams of both airlines.
As a result of the agreement, customers of Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, will have more and improved connection options. They will be able to use Emirates’ services from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Europe, Africa, the Far East and South America.
Once it comes into effect, Gulf Air will market tickets under its «GF» code for Emirates-operated flights. As is customary with this kind of agreements, the partnership will allow ticketing and check-in to be combined and unified into a single booking. In addition, users will have access to a unified baggage policy and more competitive fares.
It will be available through Gulf Air’s official website and the airline’s other online sales points.
«We are pleased to partner with Gulf Air to offer their customers greater access and strong connection opportunities to unique destinations on our network, complemented by Emirates’ signature in-flight service and hospitality throughout their journey from Dubai», said Tim Clark.
«Our relationship with Emirates Airline has always been strong and today we are reaching a higher level of collaboration with many more opportunities in the horizon between the two carriers», said Waleed Al Alawi. «This partnership will empower both of us to offer a more elevated experience to passengers and widen their travel options», he added.
Emirates currently maintains codeshare agreements with 26 airlines as well as two rail operators. As a result, the Gulf’s largest carrier has expanded its network reach to more than 300 new destinations.
