Etihad Miles to Open Up Onward Flights across the Maldives

Etihad Guest members will be able to redeem miles on Maldivian flights under a partnership announced on 17 September, extending the loyalty programme to the Maldivian carrier's domestic and regional network.

The airlines signed the agreement at Arabian Travel Market. Etihad's announcement does not give a redemption launch date, mileage prices or a flight-by-flight list of eligible services.

Mark Potter, managing director of Etihad Guest, said the arrangement would give members more destinations on which to use their miles. Maldivian managing director Ibrahim Iyas said arriving members would be able to use miles already earned for onward journeys from Malé.

The partnership builds on an existing interline agreement. Etihad says that arrangement enables passengers travelling on a single ticket to connect to 17 airports beyond Malé.

The new agreement concerns mileage redemptions on that network. The announcement does not describe the launch of 17 additional routes.

Existing connections through Malé

The airlines' earlier interline announcement described combined bookings through Velana International Airport, connecting Etihad's international services with Maldivian's domestic flights.

The domestic destinations named in that announcement included Gan, Fuvahmulah, Dharavandhoo, Hanimaadhoo and Kooddoo. The list described interline connections, rather than an award availability schedule for the new loyalty agreement.

An interline booking combines flights operated by the participating airlines on a single ticket. In the existing arrangement, Etihad operates the international leg into Malé and Maldivian provides the onward domestic service.

Maldivian's current destination directory lists airports across the country, including Hoarafushi, Kulhudhuffushi, Ifuru, Maafaru, Madivaru, Thimarafushi and Kadhdhoo.

It also lists destinations in the southern atolls, including Kooddoo, Kaadedhdhoo, Maavarulu, Fuvahmulah and Gan. The airline's published network directory is separate from the redemption terms that will govern use of Etihad Guest miles.

Etihad's September announcement says the new option will cover domestic and regional travel on Maldivian. It does not publish an award-seat allocation, the cash charges attached to redemptions or resort boat-transfer arrangements.