AER LINGUS HAS agreed a deal with Etihad Airways to cooperate on flights between Dublin and Abu Dhabi.

The agreement also means that the Irish airline will have access to other routes on the Etihad network, including destinations in Australia, south-east Asia and the Middle East.

Etihad will cooperate with Aer Lingus on the provision of services on European and US routes to 18 destinations.

In a statement this morning, Aer Lingus said that the agreement will take effect in Q3 2012 “and will further enhance the already wide range of destinations and travel opportunities” available to Aer Lingus customers.

Commenting on the agreement, Aer Lingus CEO Christoph Mueller said it supports the airline’s “strategy to provide greater access and choice to our customers”.

“We are delighted to welcome Etihad on board as a partner,” he added.

Etihad Airways president and CEO James Hogan said that the deal will provide its customers with “new travel options and flight connections to Ireland, the UK, continental Europe, and across the Atlantic to Boston and New York”.