Airberlin may continue to fly in a codeshare partnership with Etihad Airways until the end of the winter season on 26 of the 31 routes which were earlier contested by a Court. That was decided by the Higher Administrative Court of Lüneburg, says the airline.
“This is a good outcome for airberlin. We are pleased with the decision and consider it as a confirmation of our current approach,” said Stefan Pichler, CEO of the airline. Late last year, a German court ruled that Etihad Airways could not sell tickets on 31 routes operated by airberlin. The airline from Abu Dhabi appealed that decision.
Previously the German Department of Transportation approved 29 of the 31 routes, but in 2014 it appeared that the flights were not covered by the current aviation treaty between Germany and the United Arab Emirates.
Airberlin is for more than 29 percent owned by Etihad. In total Etihad and airberlin are codesharing on 76 routes.
