airberlin’s business points now collaborating with Etihad Airways’ Business Connect
As part of their strategic partnership, airberlin and Etihad Airlines are now teaming up for their business loyalty programs airberlin business points and Etihad Airways Business Connect for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME). From today, SMEs which participate in either airline’s business travel loyalty program will be rewarded for flying on codeshare flights operated by Etihad Airways, airberlin and NIKI.
Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Baumgartner, said: “We are delighted to be able to introduce the smartest and most rewarding loyalty scheme to the market, targeted at SME businesses who are looking for ways to optimise their business travel spend whilst adding convenience and value to their travel experience. This joint collaboration between airberlin and Etihad Airways is yet again another demonstration of the added value we are bringing to corporate travel.”
Paul Gregorowitsch, Chief Commercial Officer at airberlin, said: “Our SME business points program is a highly successful and appreciated concept amongst SMEs, with currently more than 10,000 registered members. By teaming up with Etihad Airways’ Business Connect, we are taking our SME program to the next level. Members of both programs now have a wider range of possibilities to earn rewards, and at the same time it could lower their travel expenses.”
“For example, now points can also be used for award flights in Business Class with airberlin to destinations in North America such as Los Angeles or Vancouver and with Etihad Airways to destinations in Asia, Australia, the Gulf States or South Africa.”
Established two years ago, airberlin’s business points is a free bonus points program for SMEs, including: public bodies, associations, law firms, medical and dental practices, and consulting companies. From today airberlin business points members can earn points when flying on qualifying routes with codeshare partner Etihad Airways. These points can ultimately be redeemed by SMEs as awards flights.
Etihad Airways’ Business Connect program, also set up over two years ago, is a free mileage earning program for SMEs. Built on the same platform as the award winning Etihad Guest frequent flyer program, members earn Etihad Guest miles for their business every time one of their employees flies. Business Connect members can now earn Etihad Guest miles when flying on qualifying routes with codeshare partner airberlin or its Austrian subsidiary NIKI. These miles can ultimately be redeemed for free flights, upgrades and rewards from the Etihad Guest reward shop.
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, began operations in 2003, and in 2011 carried 8.3 million passengers. From its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad Airways serves 87 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, with a fleet of 66 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and 100 aircraft on order, including 10 Airbus A380s, the world’s largest passenger aircraft. Etihad Airways also owns nearly 30 per cent of airberlin, Europe’s sixth largest airline, and 40 per cent of Air Seychelles. For more information, please visit: www.etihadairways.com
About airberlin
airberlin is Germany’s second largest airline. The company has a workforce of 9,200 employees. Each year, airberlin receives over 10 awards for service and quality. The fleet comprises 165 aircraft with an average age of five years, making it one of the most modern fleets in Europe. The airline’s state-of-the-art jets are highly fuel efficient, which contributes toward a long-term reduction in pollution emissions from aircraft. As one of the major European airlines, airberlin flies to 162 destinations in 40 countries. In 2011, over 35 million passengers were transported. In December 2011, airberlin entered into a strategic partnership with Etihad Airways. Since 20th March 2012, airberlin has been a full member of the global airline allianceoneworld®. airberlin operates codeshare flights with oneworld members American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines and Japan Airlines.
For more information please contact:
Niall Doheny
Manager Corporate Communications
Etihad Airways
Phone: +971 2 511 10 58
E-mail: ndoheny@etihad.ae
Melanie Schyja
Press Officer / Teamleader Online + Social Media
Phone: +49 30 3434 1500
Fax: + 49 30 3434 1509
E-mail: melanie.schyja@airberlin.com
