Turkish Airlines and Etihad Airways have signed codeshare agreement.

The deal follows the launch of Etihad’s four flights a week service to the Turkish commercial capital, Istanbul, which began on June 1, 2009.

Under the deal the Abu Dhabi-based airline will place its two-letter ‘EY’ code on Turkish Airlines’ flights from Istanbul to the UAE’s capital city and the Turkish-based airline will place its two-letter “TK” code on Etihad Airways’ flights from Abu Dhabi to Istanbul.

Turkish Airlines’ and Etihad Airways’ passengers travelling between Istanbul and Abu Dhabi will have a choice of taking more flights every week according to this new code share agreement which will go into effect on July 6, 2009.

As an outcome of the new code share agreement signed between Turkish Airlines and Etihad Airways, Passengers from Istanbul will be able to enjoy the convenience of Etihad Airways’ wide network of connections to key Etihad destinations such as Bangkok, Johannesburg and Beijing as well as the cities across the Middle East.

Passengers from Abu Dhabi will also be able to connect on Turkish Airlines’ network to any of its 116 international destinations including routes to Turkey, Europe, North America, South America, Russia, Central Asia and the Middle East.

Mr. Temel Kotil Ph.D, Turkish Airlines’ Chief Executive and Member of Board, said: “We are delighted to conclude a code-share arrangement with Etihad Airways. This is a testament to the growing relationship between Turkish Airlines and Etihad Airways, our new partner. We will make every effort to maximize the opportunities offered by our combined network. More importantly, customers are the ultimate winners, as they benefit from the extensive networks of both airlines linking both hubs, Istanbul and Abu Dhabi, and beyond,”

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: “Etihad Airways’ new service from Abu Dhabi to Istanbul has been extremely popular since its launch and we are delighted to sign this codeshare with Turkish Airlines which will support the growing demand for flights between these two cities and beyond. This latest codeshare agreement, Etihad’s sixteenth, will also help to link Turkish expatriate communities around the world, as well as build business links between Turkey and the UAE.”

Etihad currently has 15 other codeshare agreements with Aer Arran, Bangkok Airways, Brussels Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Jet Airways, Kuwait Airways, Yemen Airways, Saudi Arabia Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Philippine Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Qantas, Ukraine International and UK-based airline, bmi.

Turkish Airlines has 18 other codeshare agreements with Air China, Air India, Croatia Airlines, Egypt Air, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Pakistan Air, Royal Air Maroc, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, Austrian Airlines, United Airlines, Syrian Arab Airlines, ANA All Nippon, Air Malta, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and B&H Airlines