Etihad. Photo: MBekir / Shutterstock.com Etihad Airways and Romania's national carrier TAROM have signed a new codeshare agreement that will significantly expand travel options between Romania, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
The agreement was signed during the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro and comes ahead of Etihad's planned launch of direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Bucharest later this year.
Under the new partnership, passengers flying with Etihad will be able to book a single ticket from Abu Dhabi to several destinations across Romania via Bucharest. The agreement covers domestic TAROM services to Baia Mare, Cluj-Napoca, Iași, Oradea, Suceava, and Timișoara, as well as flights to Belgrade, Budapest, Chișinău, and Sofia.
The deal is designed to complement Etihad's new Abu Dhabi to Bucharest route, which is scheduled to begin on December 17, 2026. Once the service launches, travelers will be able to connect seamlessly between Bucharest and Etihad's global network with baggage checked through to their final destination.
"Launching this codeshare ahead of our own Bucharest service means we enter a fast-growing market with genuine scale from day one," said Arik De, Etihad Airways' Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer.
He described TAROM as "a flag carrier shaped by more than seven decades of European aviation" with a network that gives Etihad "real depth in Eastern Europe."
The partnership also opens new opportunities for Romanian travelers seeking connections beyond the Middle East. Through Abu Dhabi, passengers will gain access to Etihad's extensive network spanning Asia, Africa, Australia, and destinations across the Gulf region.
TAROM Chief Commercial Officer Mircea Nicolae Cotoros said the agreement will strengthen connectivity between Romania and the UAE while creating new opportunities for passengers.
"This codeshare with Etihad Airways extends TAROM's international reach and gives passengers a new connection between Bucharest and Abu Dhabi," he said. "It strengthens the link between Romania and the Middle East, supports the continued growth of our network and fostering cultural and economic exchanges."
The announcement reflects growing interest in Romania as both a tourism destination and an emerging economic hub in Eastern Europe. Visitors are increasingly drawn to attractions including Transylvania's medieval towns, the Carpathian Mountains, and the Danube Delta.
With TAROM joining the network, Etihad now offers access through 47 codeshare partners and more than 130 interline agreements, providing connections to over 350 destinations worldwide.