MONTREAL — Air Canada (TSX:AC.B) has signed an agreement with Etihad Airways to improve travel services between the United Arab Emirates and Canada including discussions to finalize a code-share deal, the airline announced Thursday.
The two airlines already have interline agreements in place for passenger and cargo services and hope to introduce code-share services, which integrate their bookings more closely, in the third quarter.
The agreement will allow Etihad Guest and Aeroplan travellers to earn frequent flyer miles on code-share flights and reciprocal premium lounge access in Toronto and Abu Dhabi for eligible passengers.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/busin...099/story.html
So far it's just a codeshare, I personally don't believe this deal will lead to any equity partnerships like the other airlines, as LH and German banks own a large percentage of AC already. But this may encourage better relations between the UAE and Canada, and UAE carriers may be given more frequency to Canada.