El Al, Etihad pledge further air travel cooperation
The memorandum of understanding is the latest development in UAE-Israel ties following the normalization agreement.
Airlines from the United Arab Emirates and Israel have signed a cooperation pledge as business ties between the two states continue to develop following their normalization deal.
Etihad Airways and El Al Israel Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding, Etihad announced Thursday. The memorandum is geared toward exploring several ways in which the airlines can cooperate. This includes codeshare agreements whereby two airlines offer the same flight for booking, reciprocal frequent flyer programs and cargo trade between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, according to a press release.
Etihad Airways is based in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, while El Al is based in Israel’s largest city, Tel Aviv. Both are the flagship airlines of their respective countries.
Israel and the UAE established diplomatic relations in September in an agreement brokered by the United States. Bahrain soon followed and recognized Israel and Gulf-Israel ties in general have improved in recent years. Since the agreement, numerous companies in the UAE and Israel have signed agreements pledging to do business together. Tourists are also now traveling between the two countries.
