UAE’s Emirates, flydubai announce new partnership

United Arab Emirates-based carriers Emirates and flydubai announced on Monday a partnership that will include a codeshare agreement and schedule alignment, as part of efforts to boost growth, according to a statement issued on Monday.

Both carriers, which are fully owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), will continue to be managed independently.

The partnership will be rolled out over the coming months, with the first enhanced code-sharing arrangements starting in Q4 2017.

The agreement goes “beyond code-sharing” and will include network collaboration with coordinated scheduling, the statement said.

“By 2022, the combined network of Emirates and flydubai is expected to reach 240 destinations, served by a combined fleet of 380 aircraft,” the statement said.