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The United Arab Emirates’ two leading airlines, Emirates and Etihad, have just signed a “historic” agreement, Emirates said. Emirates Group Security and Etihad Aviation Group have signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in aviation security.
“Security is one of the foremost priorities of the global aviation industry. Over the years, Emirates Group Security has built strong expertise and capabilities to successfully navigate the complex landscape of security risks and threats in aviation,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline & Group. “Through this agreement, Emirates Group Security will collaborate with Etihad Aviation Group to share know-how and extend aviation security services in order to better handle shared challenges, which ultimately benefits travellers.”
The agreement outlines the sharing of information and intelligence between Emirates Group Security and Etihad Aviation Group on critical aspects of aviation security, Emirates said. The two entities are also set to work together on operational areas both within and outside the UAE. Under the agreement, Emirates Group Security is also to extend its security training and education programs to Etihad Airways, and support it in the development of its own security escort capability.
In the longer term, Emirates said its security group will also share the content and structure of its extensive security development curriculum and work with Etihad in setting up a structured in-house security education program with possible university level accreditation.