Star Alliance carrier United Airlines is to extend its transatlantic partnership with Ireland's Aer Lingus through a new Washington Dulles-Madrid route.
It is unclear which carrier will operate the route, although the airlines state that Aer Lingus will take responsibility for managing the "operational aspects of the new partnership services" while United will handle revenue generation.
The daily operation will begin in March 2010 and Aer Lingus adds that further routes could begin in summer 2011.
Both carriers will share equally the commercial and operating risks and benefits, and the routes will be operated under both airlines' codes.
United chief Glenn Tilton says: "This partnership provides for a deeper commercial relationship with Aer Lingus, and capitalises on the unique strengths of both our companies."
Aer Lingus adds that the agreement takes advantage of the transatlantic 'open skies' deal between the European Union and the USA.
"Further expansion and development of the partnership's activities will be jointly assessedand may develop into a broader and deeper joint venture," it says.
United and Aer Lingus have already agreed a codeshare pact, which took effect in October, and the carriers claim this co-operation is "proving to be successful".
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
