iscover
Rex has entered a new interline service agreement with Gulf carrier Etihad to expand its international connections.
The agreement will allow Rex domestic passengers to connect onto international flights operated by Abu Dhabi-based Etihad and vice versa, though stops short of a full codeshare deal. Etihad is now selling Rex domestic flights on its website, through travel agencies, and online booking sites.
“Passengers will be able to fly to either Sydney or Melbourne on Rex and thereafter connect on Etihad to a further 72 destinations across the globe,” said Rex’s general manager of network strategy, Warrick Lodge.
“Etihad’s extensive international network includes Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the USA. The entire journey, including Etihad and Rex connecting flights, can be booked under one booking and passengers can enjoy the convenience of through-check baggage (where permitted).”
An interline agreement allows passengers to seamlessly book flights across the two airlines involved, with each airline handling check-in and baggage operations for the other, meaning passengers can check in once at their origin point for the whole journey and have their bags transferred between flights without needing to collect them during a transfer.
Interline agreements are a step down from full codesharing partnerships, which allow the airlines involved to sell each other’s flights under their own codes.
Etihad is already a codeshare partner of Virgin Australia, while Rex has another interline agreement with US-based Delta Air Lines. Arik De, Etihad’s chief revenue and commercial officer, welcomed Rex as a new partner for the Gulf carrier.
“This exciting new partnership significantly expands connectivity options for Etihad guests, providing them with effortless access from our gateways in Sydney and Melbourne to pivotal destinations within the Rex network, including Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast,” said De.
“Equally, we are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Rex customers, enabling them to seamlessly integrate into our expanding global network.”
Each of Australia’s three biggest airline groups now has codesharing or interline agreements with one or more Gulf-based carriers, with Qantas’ long-standing Emirates partnership being reapproved last year, while Virgin Australia codeshares with Qatar Airways in addition to Etihad.
