Etihad Airways and TAROM have formalized a codeshare agreement, signed at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, that connects Etihad's global network to Romania and several Eastern European capitals. The deal allows Etihad to place its code on flights operated by TAROM from Bucharest, turning the Romanian capital into a regional connection point within Etihad's network. This partnership is part of Etihad's broader strategy to expand its reach through commercial cooperation without joining a global airline alliance. For passengers flying from Abu Dhabi, the codeshare enables a single ticket to six Romanian cities served by TAROM: Baia Mare, Cluj-Napoca, Iasi, Oradea, Suceava, and Timisoara. It also covers four Eastern European capitals: Belgrade (Serbia), Budapest (Hungary), Chisinau (Moldova), and Sofia (Bulgaria). Baggage is checked through to the final destination, eliminating the need for re-checking. In the reverse direction, TAROM passengers from these cities can connect via Bucharest to Abu Dhabi on Etihad's new flight, and onward to the Middle East, Africa, Asia, or Australia. The codeshare supports the launch of Etihad's Abu Dhabi–Bucharest route, announced for December 17, 2026. This route is part of a series of new destinations unveiled by Etihad as part of its expansion plan from the new Abu Dhabi airport. Etihad recently announced seven new destinations, including Bucharest, with flights starting from March 2026. The discrepancy between the March 16, 2026 date in the route announcement and the December 17, 2026 date in the codeshare press release will need clarification when bookings open. Etihad highlights Romania as one of the fastest-growing economies in Eastern Europe and a rising tourist destination, with its medieval Transylvanian towns, the Carpathian Mountains, and the Danube Delta. The partnership aims to facilitate tourist arrivals via Abu Dhabi while offering Romanian travelers simplified access to the Gulf and Asia. By connecting Bucharest to Abu Dhabi, both airlines intend to capture leisure and business traffic, particularly on routes to the Middle East, South Asia, and Australia. Arik De, Chief Revenue & Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, stated: "TAROM brings Etihad genuine depth in Eastern Europe: a national carrier forged by over seven decades of European aviation, and a well-established network covering the country and region." Mircea Nicolae Cotoros, Chief Commercial Officer of TAROM, added: "This codeshare with Etihad Airways extends TAROM's international reach and offers passengers a new link between Bucharest and Abu Dhabi." With TAROM, Etihad now has 47 codeshare agreements and over 130 interline agreements, giving access to more than 350 destinations worldwide on a single ticket.