Etihad Airways has launched its own globe-striding alliance network, called Etihad Airways Partners, with five Etihad partners, along with the Gulf carrier, as founding members. airberlin, Air Seriba, Air Seychelles, Jet Airways, Darwin Airline and Etihad Airways will be the initial six airlines within the new partnership.

The carrier said that Etihad Airways Partners is not similar to the traditional alliances. Etihad Airways spokesperson has clarified that this partnership is a grouping of like-minded airlines working together to improve the group’s competitive offer against those alliances and the major legacy carriers.

The partners will enjoy shared services from economies of scale and operational synergies including centres of excellence, shared sales teams in certain destinations, joint procurement of services and supplies and shared pilot and cabin crew training at the Etihad Airways facilities in Abu Dhabi.