Emirates and Flydubai have announced a comprehensive partnership that includes an expansive codeshare agreement as well as coordinated flight schedules and alignment of their frequent flyer programs.
According to Emirates, the agreement “goes beyond code-sharing and includes integrated network collaboration with coordinated scheduling.” The airlines emphasized that, despite the close cooperation, both carriers will remain independent operators.
The two Gulf carriers say the partnership is designed to optimize networks and schedules to open new city-pair connections, giving passengers more options and improving connectivity. By better integrating their timetables and routes, each airline will be able to feed more traffic into the other’s complementary network, creating smoother connections and more seamless travel itineraries.
Looking ahead, the airlines envision that by 2022 their combined networks will serve 240 destinations, up from the current total of 216. Part of the strategy includes developing a mutual hub at Dubai International Airport to support transfers and grow the overall route network.
Details about how the two frequent flyer programs will be aligned have not yet been released. However, both carriers confirmed that the first expanded codeshare services will begin in the last quarter of this year, marking the initial step in a broader collaboration aimed at enhancing connectivity, choice and convenience for travelers.