Qantas recently announced it would add four Middle East destinations to its network from 29 March (subject to regulatory approval) through a new codeshare arrangement with Etihad Airways.

“For the first time, Qantas will be able to offer direct access to multiple points in the Middle East from Sydney, Melbourne and from Brisbane” said Group Executive Qantas, Mr John Borghetti.

Qantas will codeshare on 21 weekly Etihad services to Abu Dhabi:

• 11 non-stop from Sydney
• 7 non-stop from Melbourne
• 3 from Brisbane via Singapore

Codeshare connections will then be available on Etihad services from Abu Dhabi to Amman, Beirut and Bahrain. Members of Qantas Frequent Flyer will be able to earn points on all Qantas codeshare services covered by the agreement.

In other news Etihad Airways has commenced non-stop daily services from its Abu Dhabi home-base to Melbourne, Australia from March 2009. Melbourne will become the third destination in the country to be served by Etihad. Etihad Airways will operate a three cabin Airbus A340-600 to Melbourne. It is configured to carry 286 passengers, with 12 in first class, 30 in business class and 244 in economy class.

Melbourne follows the introduction of highly successful Sydney and Brisbane route launches in 2007 by Etihad. Within its first year of Australian operations, the airline tripled flights to and from Australia and carried more than 100,000 passengers. To discuss cost effective options to the Middle East and beyond with Qantas and Etihad speak with your QBT International Consultant.