Etihad Airways to codeshare with SriLankan Airlines

The agreement will take effect from September 15, when Etihad Airways suspends flights on its Colombo route.

Etihad passengers will fly SriLankan Airlines to or from Abu Dhabi, with both airlines jointly marketing the destination.

'This strategic agreement with Sri Lankan Airlines extends the number of destinations we offer and the airline's high standards of service will be enjoyed by our customers,' said Charles Phelps-Penry, regional general manager Asia Pacific, Etihad Airways.

SriLankan Airlines daily flights to Abu Dhabi will accommodate traffic from Etihad's three flights a week service to and from Colombo.

'SriLankan Airlines flight frequencies to Abu Dhabi will remain the same initially but will be reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that we meet demand in the market,' said Manoj Gunawardena, head of worldwide passenger sales for the SriLankan carrier.

'The agreement with Etihad Airways will strengthen our services into and out of the Middle East, an important market for SriLankan Airlines, while achieving operational efficiencies for both partners,' Gunawardena said.

'This is our first codeshare with Etihad and we are happy to support Etihad on their Colombo routes.'