Abu Dhabi (AUH) is about to become a vital hub for inbound tourism into Southern Africa.

Firstly, flights from Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg have been doubled with the inauguration of SAA’s flights on the route last week.

Secondly, SAA’s new codeshare partner Etihad is already allowing SAA to issue tickets for passengers originating in some 27 centres including Dublin, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Thirdly, Abu Dhabi is pouring development cash into attractions like Yas Island to turn the capital of the UAE into a “must-see” attraction. This is part of the strategy by Abu Dhabi, the base of the world’s fastest growing airline, Etihad, which has some 200 aircraft on order.

Cash-strapped SAA, unable to finance the new aircraft it would need to open new routes, has instead tied up with Etihad in a close alliance that improves passenger options without putting additional aircraft in the air.

Etihad and SAA have co-ordinated each of their daily flights so that both airlines can offer services between Johannesburg and AUH every 12 hours.

More codeshare destinations are being finalised, adding to the 27 onward destinations already in place. Etihad is waiting for regulatory approval to add its code to 17 destinations in Africa that SAA operates.

Barry Parsons, SAA’s Chief Strategy Officer, told Tourism Update the alliance worked well for both parties. Etihad is free to allow SAA to specialise in Africa on its behalf while Etihad focuses on other new international routes.

SAA has cleared regulations to allow for close parity pricing with Etihad, a development that will take effect over the next few months.

Parsons dismissed the idea that the closer relationship with Etihad meant that SAA would consider leaving the Star Alliance. Etihad is not a member of any major alliance but there were many examples of airlines in alliances dealing with non-members, he said. With regard to SAA’s codeshare with other Gulf carrier, Emirates, to Dubai, Parsons said the arrangement worked well for both airlines but that SAA did not have the right to codeshares onward to other destinations, which the Etihad agreement allows.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said there would also be reciprocity across the airlines’ respective loyalty programmes, sharing of lounge facilities and the review of the airlines’ cargo, training and procurement operations.

SAA will use an A330-200 aircraft, with 36 business class and 186 economy seats, on the Abu Dhabi route.