Rival airlines Emirates, Etihad step closer with security pact

Emirates and Etihad Airways signed a security pact Monday to share information and intelligence, the first agreement between the two rival airlines based in the UAE. Emirates and Etihad, backed by their state owners, have competed almost head-to-head developing global networks from their respective hubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi that are just 128 kilometers apart. Monday's memorandum of understanding involves Emirates unit Emirates Group Security and Etihad parent Etihad Aviation Group working "together on operational areas both within and outside the UAE". Emirates and Etihad face common challenges; a lobbying campaign in the US to investigate accusations that they are unfairly state subsidised, which they both deny, as well as overcapacity, security concerns, and a drop in regional business travel. <br/>