EL AL Israel Airlines, the national airline of Israel, and Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, are set to team-up on cargo as part of both carrier's move to deepen cooperation following a recent signing of a virtual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The wide-ranging MOU covers scope to introduce joint codeshare services between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, as well as on the global flight networks beyond the two carriers’ hubs.

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The MOU also contains plans for greater commercial cooperation in the fields of cargo, engineering, loyalty, destination management and the optimal use of pilot and cabin crew training facilities.

Both carriers’ engineering and cargo divisions are also set to begin talks about greater cooperation. These discussions would look at optimising MRO (maintenance repair and overhaul) opportunities, as well as ways to increase volumes of freighter traffic flowing into and out of Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, and across the carriers’ combined networks.

The MOU was signed ‘virtually’ by Tony Douglas, Group chief executive officer of Etihad Aviation Group, and Gonen Usishkin, chief executive officer of EL AL Israel Airlines.

“Following EL AL’s historic flight to Abu Dhabi, the first-ever flight between Israel and the UAE, this MOU is the foundation of what we envision will be a strong ongoing relationship between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv,” Douglas said.

Usishkin for his part commented: “Following the normalisation of diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE, we have been provided with a great opportunity to examine the possibility of cooperation with Etihad Airways. This MOU is only the start and we believe that together, the two flag carriers will be able to provide our mutual customers with the best possible product and service.”

Etihad Airways announced its intention this week to commence daily services between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv from March 28, 2021.

Israel has earlier signed a peace agreement with Bahrain and the UAE which is anticipated to open up trade links between the countries.