ETIHAD AIRWAYS EXTENDS REACH IN AFRICA THROUGH NEW CODESHARE AGREEMENT WITH KULULA.COM

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, continues to build its presence in Africa through a new codeshare agreement with kulula, South Africa’s award-winning low cost carrier.

The codeshare deal offers Etihad Airways customers flight options to a number of key cities in South Africa that include Cape Town, Durban, George and East London via Johannesburg.

Etihad Airways will place its EY code on kulula’s scheduled flights between Johannesburg and these popular coastal cities. This agreement allows guests access to through-check-in and baggage transfer to their final destination.

The new codeshare services will go on sale from 3 October 2016, with travel from the start of the Northern Winter schedule on 30 October.

The agreement with kulula strengthens Etihad Airways’ commitment to Africa and brings the total number of destinations that it serves across the continent to 23 through its existing codeshare partnerships with Kenya Airways, Royal Air Maroc, and strategic equity partner Air Seychelles.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said: “kulula is an innovative and award-winning airline and this new codeshare agreement demonstrates Etihad Airways’ growing ambitions to strengthen our operations across Africa. Through the agreement, kulula will give inbound passengers direct access from Johannesburg to four key destinations along South Africa’s renowned coastline, and I am certain the extended reach offered through this partnership will appeal to business and leisure travellers alike.”

Erik Venter, Chief Executive Officer of kulula’s parent company, Comair, said: “We are delighted to be adding Etihad Airways to our growing list of strategic airline partnerships and are excited about exploring additional opportunities to expand on the relationship. We look forward to welcoming Etihad Airways’ customers on board our flights.”

Etihad Airways currently operates scheduled services to 10 destinations in Africa, namely Johannesburg, Nairobi, Entebbe, Dar es Salaam, Khartoum, Casablanca, Rabat, Lagos, Cairo and Mahé in the Seychelles.

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About Etihad Aviation Group

Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) is a diversified global aviation and travel group comprising four business divisions – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways Engineering, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners. The group has minority investments in seven airlines: airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional.

From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to, or has announced plans to serve, 117 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 123 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 204 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. For more information, please visit: etihad.com           

For more information, please contact:

Damian James

Etihad Airways Corporate Communications

Email: djames@etihad.ae

Landline: + 9712 511 1035

William Smook

Meropa Comunications

+27 21 683 6464

+27 83 357 2837

williams@meropa.co.za

About kulula.com

Note: kulula is spelt with a lowercase ‘k’.

kulula.com is a privately-owned low-fare airline, operated by Comair Limited. This adventurous brand, which celebrates its 15-year anniversary in 2016 has, since inception, revolutionised air travel in South Africa by making flying much easier and more affordable for customers. kulula.com is IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) compliant and maintains the highest standard of safety at all times. In January 2016, for the second year running, kulula.com was rated as the top South African low cost carrier, in the SA Customer Satisfaction Index (SAcsi) on the industry. In December 2015, the airline was also internationally recognised for a second consecutive year, by AirlineRatings.com, as the Best Low Cost Airline in Africa and the Middle East.

kulula received the highly coveted title of ‘Best African Low-cost Airline’ in the 2015 & 2016 Business Traveller Africa Awards and was also voted as South Africa’s top airline for business travellers in the 2015 Sunday Times Top Brands survey, and the Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa in the 2016 Skytrax World Airline Awards. kulula.com has completed its Boeing 737-800 (189 seats) fleet upgrade plan and now operates more than 412 flights a week across 14 domestic routes. kulula has entered into codeshare agreements with Kenya Airways and Air France to provide more choice for customers. In 2015, kulula signed interline agreements with Virgin Atlantic (VS) and Hahn Air, making it easier for other markets to book flights in SA.

kulula.com offers more than just flights. They offer holidays, hotels and car rentals too. It’s the one-stop place for anyone looking for affordable travel options in and around South Africa, making it possible to go places, whenever, wherever, however. For more information about kulula and its various offerings, including how to become a fan, affordable holiday packages, the kulula mobi site and online check-in service, visit www.kulula.com. Become a kulula fan at iflykulula on Facebook or follow us on @kulula on twitter (http://twitter.com/kulula) For more background information on kulula, view our brand video.