Two major airlines, Emirates and Etihad, both based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are set to work more closely together. This has sparked discussions about the possibility of a merger and the potential for a Mideast super airline.
The UAE’s ownership of two dominant global Emirates and Etihad carriers with highly overlapping international air networks may appear extravagant at first glance. Some might question the need for two airlines in such close proximity.
However, the recent announcement of an interline partnership between Emirates and Etihad has revived speculation about a potential merger, a topic often debated within aviation circles for a long time. However, local politics and the geographical separation of their prestigious hub airports, which are located an hour apart, have posed challenges to such consolidation.
Earlier this month both airlines agreed on an interline partnership, prompting questions about the implications for passengers and the potentia...