Fiji Airways has signed an extensive interline deal with Etihad Airways that will extend the Pacific carrier’s network to an additional 71 destinations across the world.
The agreement will see reciprocal sales to and from Fiji to 29 cities in Asia, 12 in Europe, 17 in the Middle East, five in Africa, five in North America and three in Australia.
It starts with immediate effect.
The airlines said the interline deal will be the springboard for further negotiations.
Fiji Airways chief executive Stefan Pichler heralded the development as a major step in its five-year strategy.
“We are proud to be part of the global Etihad Airways network and this partnership will help us to put Fiji on the map in countries where we had no presence before,” he said. “Etihad Airways will help us reach out for new customers and to diversify tourism streams for our country.
“It is definitely a major step for Fiji Airways.”
Etihad chief executive James Hogan described Fiji as a “great holiday market”.
“The agreement also connects the outer South Pacific Islands to our network which creates more opportunities for our world sales force,” he said.
