Etihad Airways, the national airline of theUnited Arab Emirates, has joined hands with Czech Airlines, of theCzechRepublic, to sign a new codeshare agreement.

The new agreement will see Czech Airlines launch new direct flights betweenAbu DhabiandPrague, and offer onward global connections through Etihad’s network. The connections include key cities in the Middle East such asAbu Dhabi,Muscat,BahrainandKuwaitand destinations inPakistan– namelyKarachi,Lahore,IslamabadandPeshawarwhich will be easily reached.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer said: “We’re delighted to welcome the inaugural Czech Airlines codeshare flight intoAbu Dhabi. As the world’s leading airline, this new strategic relationship which includes but is not limited to just a codeshare agreement, illustrates Etihad’s growing ambitions in the Central andEastern Europeregion. It opens up the beautiful city ofPraguethat we have been eager to offer our guests for such a long time, and we are certain these new connections and the seamless flight experience offered jointly by Etihad and Czech Airlines, will appeal to both business and leisure travellers alike.”

Etihad Airways currently operates daily flights to and fromAbu DhabiviaKarachi,LahoreandIslamabadand fromAbu Dhabi, the travelers can then visit theCzechRepublicwith ease. Connecting to four weekly return flights fromAbu Dhabi, departing toPragueevery Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday using Airbus A319 aircraft.

Czech Airlines first flight toAbu Dhabi, the capital of theUnited Arab Emirateswas on 21 September 2011.

Miroslav Dvořák, President of Czech Airlines, summed up: “Thanks to the perfect harmonisation of departure and arrival times atAbu Dhabi, destinations in the Middle East, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Asia andAustraliahave never been as accessible fromPragueas they are now.  And on top of that, cooperation with Etihad Airways bringsPraguecloser as a tourist centre, for tens of millions of passengers from across the Etihad network.”