DUBAI, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) national carrier Etihad Airways said on Thursday it regretted the American Airlines' decision to terminate their code-sharing agreement, local media reported.
The Etihad-American codeshare started in 2009 and would end on March 25, 2018, UAE daily The National reported.
Etihad said American Airlines' decision is "anti-competitive and anti-consumer," and would limit consumer choices and increase prices for travelers to and from the United States, said the report, quoting an Etihad statement.
The two companies have been in a mutually beneficial partnership since 2009, said Etihad, adding that their relation has continued despite their differences over the so-called "open skies" political conflict.
American Airlines and other dominant U.S. aviation companies have accused Etihad, other consumer and business groups of relevant air transport agreements violations.
Etihad "rejected the allegations categorically," saying that it was commitment to the U.S. market and U.S. consumers, and will take all possible measures to ensure that public travelers are not harmed by this decision.
Earlier last week, Etihad's home base Abu Dhabi International Airport was cleared of the laptop ban by the United States after the carrier and airport authorities implemented additional procedures for passenger pre-screening.
