(Newswire Today) —  Sydney, Australia, 2009-03-11 - Qantas announced today that it would add four Middle East destinations to its network from 29 March*, through a new codeshare arrangement with Etihad Airways.

Executive General Manager Qantas, Mr John Borghetti, said the codeshare agreement would give Qantas customers non-stop access to Etihad™'s Abu Dhabi hub as well as connections to Amman in Jordan, Beirut in Lebanon and Bahrain.

"The new codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways is a significant strategic development for Qantas," Mr Borghetti said.

"The United Arab Emirates and the broader Middle East are important markets for Australia in terms of both business links and tourism.

"For the first time, Qantas will be able to offer direct access to multiple points in the Middle East from Sydney, Melbourne and from Brisbane."

Qantas will codeshare on 21 weekly Etihad services to Abu Dhabi:

• 11 non-stop from Sydney;
• 7 non-stop from Melbourne; and
• 3 from Brisbane via Singapore.

Codeshare connections will then be available on Etihad services from Abu Dhabi to Amman, Beirut and Bahrain.

Etihad Airways will codeshare on selected Qantas services between Australia and Auckland. It will also codeshare on a range of Qantas domestic services between Adelaide and Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney and Cairns and Sydney.

Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said Australia was an important market for the airline.

"We have a growing presence in Australia and are now pleased to be establishing this strategic codeshare relationship with Qantas," he said.

Members of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program will be able to earn points on all Qantas codeshare services covered by the agreement.

* Subject to regulatory approval

Issued by Qantas Corporate Communication (3899)

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