TAP codeshares with Etihad, incl. at Brussels

[sn26567]

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has signed a codeshare agreement with TAP Portugal, the national carrier of Portugal.

TAP will place its ‘TP’ code on Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi and Brussels, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva, London and Milan.

Etihad will place ‘EY’ code on TAP flights from Lisbon to Brussels, Düsseldorf, Faro, Frankfurt, Funchal, Geneva, London, Milan and Porto.

Source: The HUB routes.

I don't see the advantage: BRU is out of the way (between Lisbon and Abu Dhabi) for both airlines...

[regi]

I do see an advantage: availability/flexability.
As I reported last year , my flight with Etihad Abu Dhabi-Brussels was changed in Abu-Dhabi-Geneva-Brussels.
( with an extra 4 hours travelling time )
But as far as I could find out, it was due to the fact that the day I had my return flight, there was no flight to Brussels. So- despite some frustration - we all got home at the same day , and we did not have to change travel plans.
In practice I doubt that we will see many passengers coming from Abu Dhabi by TAP over Lisbon.

Simple example: fog at Geneva.
Or ground service strike at Milan.
Whatever.
I rather have a bit longer travel time with an extra connecting flight by TAP than a 17 hour delay at an airport terminal and a 10 € voucher.