Etihad Airways has expanded its partnership with AccessRail,
a provider of air-rail intermodal solutions, to allow its passengers to book
train and coach tickets in Europe in conjunction with their air fare using the
airline’s online booking platform or through a travel agency.
Through the integration, passengers can connect to and from
their international flights to rail routes operated by major European railway companies
using the airline’s EY code, including an expanded network of seven rail routes
on Germany’s Deutsche Bahn from Frankfurt airport.
The partnership with AccessRail has also been expanded to
include 16 UK routes westbound from Heathrow airport on Great Western Railway,
as well as additional inter-city coach services in the UK operated by National
Express to 28 destinations from Heathrow and five from Manchester airport. In
addition, the network will include 28 destinations across Italy on the country’s
major rail operator Trenitalia, subject to government approval.
Etihad has operated a similar agreement with France’s SNCF,
providing codeshare services to 20 destinations on the French domestic rail
network from Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport.
AccessRail is present in most global distribution systems
and partners with major rail companies in Europe, the US, Canada, Korea and
Japan, making it possible for travellers to book air and rail tickets on the
same itinerary.