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Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways is to extend further its expanding global network by providing its customers with greater access to destinations in Asia, following the signing of a new codeshare agreement with Malaysia Airlines.
Under the deal, the Abu Dhabi-based airline will place its two-letter 'EY' code on Malaysia Airlines' flights between the country's capital city, Kuala Lumpur, and the popular islands of Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Kuching and Langkawi.
In turn, Malaysia Airlines will place its 'MH' code on services operated by Etihad between its home base of Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, Doha and Muscat in the Gulf region.
The announcement follows the signing in May of a memorandum of understanding between Etihad Airways and Malaysia Airlines. It brings to 10 the number of codeshare agreements now operated by Etihad Airways.
The new codeshare flights pave the way for closer cooperation between the two airlines on a range of other joint initiatives, including collaboration on frequent flyer programmes, ground handling, customer support, cargo and airport lounge access.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways' chief executive, said: "Asia is an important market for Etihad and there is huge demand amongst our customers to travel beyond the Malaysian capital, which this new codeshare agreement now allows."
Idris Jala, Malaysia Airlines' managing director and chief executive, said: "This codeshare arrangement with Etihad is timely as Malaysia is a favourite destination for visitors from the Middle East as well an ideal transit country when they travel to our destinations from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Orient, Australia and New Zealand."
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