Emirates in codeshare partnership with China Southern Airlines

It is the first codeshare agreement between Emirates and a China-based airline

FILE PHOTO: An Emirates Airbus A380-800 aircraft takes off from Manchester Airport in Manchester, Britain September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
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Emirates and China Southern Airlines are to develop a comprehensive joint codeshare agreement, which will open up new destinations for passengers travelling between China and the Middle East and Africa regions.

As part of the partnership, the Guangzhou-based carrier will allow Emirates’ passengers to enjoy connectivity on domestic flights within China, adding eight new destinations to its global network.

Emirates currently has codeshare agreements in place with 23 partners around the world. However, this is the first codeshare agreement between Emirates and a China-based airline.

“The addition of eight domestic routes in the initial stage expands our reach in China, beyond the three hub cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ divisional senior vice president of strategic planning, revenue optimisation and aeropolitical affairs.

China Southern’s customers will be able to travel to destinations within the Middle East and Africa and beyond on a single ticket, added Mr Kazim.

The Chinese cities covered by the codeshare agreement include Fuzhou, Chongqing, Kunming, Qingdao, Xiamen, Chengdu, Nanjing and Xi 'an during the initial phase of the partnership, subject to necessary government approvals.

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Passengers travelling from China will have access to destinations in Emirates’ Middle East network such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Muscat, Kuwait and Cairo. The codeshare agreement also includes flights to African destinations such as Seychelles and Lagos, operated by Emirates.

Earlier this month, Emirates had announced it is to expand its codeshare partnership with flydubai this year to include more destinations as the Dubai airlines seek to improve efficiencies, boost the number of customers and increase profitability.

Emirates, one of the biggest long-haul airlines, and its low-cost peer flydubai are hoping to launch codeshare routes to 240 destinations by 2022, supported by more integrated flight schedules, shared fleet usage and aligned frequent flyer programmes.