Etihad Airways has launched its first codeshare operation out of Pakistan with American Airlines, providing air travellers in Pakistan with greater access to the US market.

The new codeshare agreement starts on March 18 and will offer customers in Pakistan easy and convenient connections between Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore and key destinations in the US, including Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Miami  and Houston. The expansion follows the original codeshare agreement made between Etihad Airways and American Airlines in September 2009.

“The US is a key market for Etihad and a popular destination for many of our customers in Pakistan. Etihad has seen substantial growth to and from the US over the past few years and we are committed to strengthening the ties between the Pakistan and US markets through this new codeshare,” said Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways chief commercial officer.

Passengers transferring between the two carriers will be able to purchase a single ticket for their journey and enjoy the convenience of being able to check in luggage through to their final destination.

Etihad Airways currently places its ‘EY’ code on a number of transatlantic services operated by American Airlines between Europe and the US, as well as selected domestic services operated beyond New York and Chicago.

The carriers recently confirmed that American Airlines will also place its  ‘AA’ code on Etihad services from Kuwait city, with Etihad placing its two letter ‘EY’ code onto American Airlines operations to Atlanta, Detroit and Minneapolis via Chicago.-TradeArabia News Service