Etihad to suspend DFW flights

ETIHAD Airways has announced it will suspend operations on its Abu Dhabi-Dallas Fort Worth route from 25 Mar 2018, saying it has become “commercially unsustainable” after American Airlines decided to terminate its EY codeshare deal ( TD 13 Jul).

Etihad ceo Peter Baumgartner said “the unfortunate decision by American Airlines to terminate a commercial relationship that benefited both carriers has left Etihad with no choice.

“We are open to American Airlines reversing its decision to cancel our codeshare agreement so that Etihad Airways can continue the route and together protect American national interests and global connectivity while driving commercial value for both airlines,” he said.

Baumgartner said cancelling Dallas was one of several adjustments to the Etihad US network to boost profitability.

“Further changes are possible as we monitor the full impact of the American Airlines codeshare cancellation on summer 2018 bookings,” he added.

EY first commenced flying between AUH and DFW in Dec 2014, initially thrice weekly but moving to daily in Feb this year.

Effective from Mar American Airlines is also unilaterally cancelling its codeshare agreement with oneworld partner Qatar Airways, saying the deals with the Gulf carriers “no longer make sense for us”.

However other aspects of the relationships remain intact incl lounge access and interlining.