As part of its expansion plan across Africa, UAE national airline, Etihad Airways has signed a strategic commercial partnership agreement with Kenya Airways, the national flag carrier of Kenya.

Etihad had signed a similar agreement with Kenya’s minority shareholder Air France-KLM.

As part of the agreement, Etihad will place its EY code on Kenya Airways flights from Nairobi to 27 destinations across Kenya Airways’ network in Africa while Kenya Airways will place its KQ code on Etihad’s daily service from Nairobi to Abu Dhabi.

Kenya Airways code sharing is subject to government approval.

Speaking on the agreement, Kenya Airways managing director and CEO Dr Titus Naikuni said “The new codeshare partnership with Etihad Airways is a significant strengthening of the global network of both airlines, which provides more choice to all our passengers.”

Etihad Airways president and CEO James Hogan collaborated that “The partnership agreement with Kenya Airways is in line with our strategy of forming alliances with airlines around the world to enhance our network and marketing reach.”

He added that the agreement will allow both airlines to benefit from cost savings achieved through synergies and economies of scale.

Etihad and Kenya also announced plans to jointly procure ground handling, maintenance, training and cargo services as part of their agreement.

Meanwhile, Kenya Airways will launch a new three-times-a-week service between Nairobi and Abu Dhabi from mid-summer 2013, complementing Etihad’s daily A320-200 service on the route.