Etihad Airways and Air France have announced a number of new codeshare destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe for summer 2013. The expansion of codeshare services follows last October’s strategic agreement between the respective national carriers to expand global network, and deliver travel options for customers.

Now assigning its EY flight code on Air France flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Oslo and Stockholm, Etihad Airways expects to build on the existing joint codeshare routes from Paris-CDG to Bordeaux, Copenhagen, Madrid, Nice and Toulouse.

Subject to further regulatory approvals, Etihad Airways expects to be able to assign its EY code shortly on Air France flights between Paris-CDG, Lisbon and Marseilles.  The UAE flag carrier flies twice daily between Abu Dhabi and Paris.

Air France is assigning its AF code on Etihad Airways’ daily flights from Abu Dhabi to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and to two cities in Australia – Melbourne and Sydney.  The French carrier expects to be able to assign its AF code shortly on Etihad Airways services between Singapore and Brisbane.

Subject to regulatory approvals, Air France foresees assigning its AF code on routes between Abu Dhabi and Kathmandu.

The airline already assigns its AF code on Etihad Airways’ operated flights between Paris-CDG and Abu Dhabi, and onwards to Colombo, Mahé (Seychelles) and Male (Maldives).

Dominique Patry, vice president international affairs and alliances at Air France said: “Our strategic partnership with Etihad Airways continues to flourish and, as a result of the expansion of codeshare services, our travellers now have enhanced access to Abu Dhabi and to key cities in Africa, Australia Asia and Europe."

Kevin Knight, chief strategy and planning officer at Etihad Airways, said:  “Enhancing connectivity, making the journey easier and more enjoyable, increasing choice, and seamlessly integrating operations over each airline’s respective hub, continues to underpin our strategy for building a world-class global network.”

In addition to the codeshare with Air France, Etihad Airways has 42 other codeshare agreements in place with other airlines across.