Air Berlin And Alitalia Join Hands For Codeshare Deal

Air Berlin And Alitalia Join Hands For Codeshare Deal

Alitalia and Air Berlin will soon be part of the Eithad Airways which will have part ownership of them. But before this development, the two airlines are taking steps to boost ticket sales through cooperation in over 400 routes. Both airlines need to boost ticket sales and profits for which they need to access the market in new ways. The codeshare deal is a step this direction.

Eithad's growing presence is causing European regulators to worry as Air Berlin felt the impact when Germany blocked 50% of its codeshare flights with Etihad. The Abu Dhabi-based airline now has stakes in a string of airlines including Virgin Australia, Aer Lingus, Air Seychelles, Air Berlin, Jet Airways and Air Serbia, according to a Reuters report. Swiss based Darwin and Alitalia are next on the menu. The aim is to expand the network and funnel passengers through the Abu Dhabi hub, says Reuters.

As part of the code share deal, 412 flights between Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria will be covered by the two airline companies. As per the codeshare agreement, both he airlines will jointly market the particular route while only one will operate the actual flight. The aim is to use the combined sales efforts to fill the empty seats. Stringent foreign ownership regulations have made it tough for airlines in different regions to have traditional collaborations for merging and expanding their operations. Codeshare has emerged as a lucrative and profitable idea in such a situation.

Through the codeshare agreement, the two airlines will optimise flight connections in cities such as Berlin and Dusseldorf to ensure convenience for the travellers. Air Berlin and Alitalia will also share codes on 400 weekly nonstop flights to and from italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland as part of the deal, as per the press release of Air Berlin. There will also be a reciprocal frequent flyer agreement which will start working by the month of November this year.

Air Berlin is the second largest airline in Germany while Alitalia is the leading carrier in Italy. The codeshare agreement will take effect from this winter season. Selective codeshares have also been agreed on with respect to areas beyond the home hubs of these two airlines, Alitalia placing the AZ code on some of the domestic flights of Air Berlin.

Air Berlin too will place the AB code on selected foreign and domestic Alitalia flights via Rome and Milan Linate as well as long-haul flights of the Italian carrier.
With codeshare agreements coming to rescue the airliners from the troubles that are afoot, one wonders just how hard the aviation industry has been hit. With new changes on the anvil, perhaps this too may change soon.