ETIHAD AIRWAYS says its partnerships with other airlines such as Virgin Australia now generate almost a fifth of passenger revenue.
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier's financial results, released yesterday, showed it achieved passenger revenue of $US937 million ($919 million) in the three months to September 30, up 12 per cent from the previous corresponding period. Revenue from codeshares and airline partners grew 51 per cent to $US182 million, the airline said.
''Revenue from codeshare partners represented 18 per cent of Etihad Airways' total passenger revenue in the quarter,'' it said.
Etihad owns 10 per cent of Virgin Australia, and the two carriers in 2010 began co-operating on joint pricing and scheduling, codesharing on each other's flights and offering reciprocal frequent-flyer benefits.
Codeshare revenues from Virgin Australia rose 16 per cent in the three months to September, compared with the previous period. The exact dollar amount was not disclosed.
''We are particularly pleased with the contribution from our codeshare and equity partners,'' Etihad's chief executive, James Hogan, said.
''This component of our strategy is delivering a strong and growing revenue stream, complementing our own double-digit organic growth.''
Etihad is also a shareholder in Germany's airberlin and Air Seychelles.
Qantas has applied to the competition regulator for approval to form a 10-year alliance with Dubai-headquartered Emirates.
AAP
