December 14, 2009 - ANA has today applied to the Japanese government for regulatory approval to enter into a new code-share agreement with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (hereinafter referred to as “Etihad”), starting from March 1, 2010.

The increase in cooperation between the two airlines aims to provide greater travel options and convenience for passengers traveling between Japan and UAE.

Under the deal, ANA will place its two-letter ‘NH’ code on the four weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Nagoya due to be operated by Etihad Airways from February 1, 2010. In turn, Etihad will place its ‘EY’ code on ANA operated flight between Nagoya and both Sapporo and Fukuoka.

The code-share agreement will be extended from March 28, 2010 to cover domestic services operated by ANA between Narita and Osaka Itami. This has been timed to coincide with the launch by Etihad of its second new Japanese service between Abu Dhabi and Narita, the first direct service connecting the capital cities of both countries. At this time ANA will place its two-letter ‘NH’ code on the Abu Dhabi Narita services.

The increased cooperation between the two airlines will also extend to their respective frequent flyer programs (FFP). From March 1, 2010, members of both ANA Mileage Club and the Etihad Guest program will be able to accrue and redeem miles on flights on each other’s networks.

Etihad’s home base of Abu Dhabi possesses rich energy resources and is already developing strong links with Japan in the fields of energy and the environment. The Emirate is also an increasingly important centre for culture and sport, with new museums such as the Louvre and Guggenheim set to open in the next few years and the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix now a fixture in the annual Grand Prix race calendar. Less than one hour away from Dubai, and with easy access to the rest of the UAE, Abu Dhabi is also ideally located. With its diversified economy and favorable geographic location, significant expansion in tourism and business within Abu Dhabi is expected in the coming years.


About ANA
Established in 1952. It is Japan’s largest domestic carrier and the tenth largest airline in the world by passenger load, according to IATA rankings, carrying almost 50 million passengers every year to 52 destinations in Japan and 26 cities throughout Asia, Europe and the US on its fleet of 210 aircraft. ANA has won awards in all categories for its product and services and was voted Airlines of the Year for 2007 by Air Transport World Magazines. ANA joined the Star Alliance in 1999 and celebrated its 10^th year Star Alliance membership this year.

About　Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways - recently awarded the accolade of World’s Leading Airline - has achieved significant growth since it first took to the skies in November 2003 and it continues to maintain its position as the fastest-growing national airline in the history of aviation.

Etihad has continued to expand its global flight network and fleet of aircraft at a record-breaking pace whilst at the same time introducing award-winning services to its customers flying to more than 55 destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America.

This year the airline is targeting seven million passengers and has launched new destinations to Melbourne, Astana, Istanbul, Athens, Larnaca, Chicago, Cape Town and Hyderabad.