Emirati carrier Etihad Airways and Air Europa have launched their inaugural wet-lease flight from Abu Dhabi to Madrid, Spain, marking the Spanish airline's first flight from the Middle East.
The flight, operated by a Boeing 787-9, represents a development in the partnership between the two airlines, building on their expanded codeshare agreement and their cooperation on loyalty programs. This cooperation highlights the value of strategic partnerships in improving global connectivity and providing more seamless travel options for passengers across 4 continents.
Etihad now offers two daily flights to Madrid, with Air Europa's Boeing 787-9 operating the afternoon flight EY103, with 32 business class seats and 307 economy class seats. The wet-lease agreement significantly strengthens Abu Dhabi's connectivity with Spain and the tourism and trade links between the two countries.
For his part, Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said that today marks a new phase in "our cooperation with Air Europa" and confirms "our ability to work with strategic partners to enhance air connectivity to Madrid and expand travel options between the UAE and Spain."
In the same context, Juan José Hidalgo, President of Air Europa, said that launching "our first flights from Abu Dhabi to the Middle East" in cooperation with Etihad Airways is a major milestone in "our international expansion," reflecting Abu Dhabi's importance as a global hub that meets the growing demand for travel between Spain and the UAE and opening new routes in the region.
The partnership reinforces Etihad's commitment to strengthening Abu Dhabi's position as an attractive destination for business and leisure travelers, while strengthening ties with key European markets such as Spain. Through their combined networks, the two airlines enable passengers to travel to more than 130 destinations worldwide.
The wet-lease operation lays the foundation for further strategic initiatives between Etihad Airways and Air Europa in the future, including opportunities to deepen commercial activities and expand bilateral cooperation. The two airlines remain committed to exploring additional cooperation opportunities that would benefit passengers through enhanced travel options.
To view the post on the Etihad Airways website, click here.
