New codeshares to benefit Australians heading to Europe. Image: Plane Talking Live

Australians now have greater access to Europe following a new global partnership between AIR FRANCE KLM Group and Etihad Airways.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has introduced codeshare departures on Etihad flights to and from Sydney and Melbourne via Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam Schipol.

The new codeshare seats are available for booking effective immediately for passengers and travel agents.

Passengers are able to obtain seat allocation and check their luggage all the way through to their final destination in Europe.

AIR FRANCE KLM Flying Blue loyalty members can accrue points when booking KLM tickets on the Etihad-operated services.

 “Through a range of partnerships, KLM now offers over 70 weekly codeshare connections from Australia to Europe,” AIR FRANCE KLM Australia and NZ regional manager Tom Reeves said.

“We are delighted from now on to provide new routing options to our customers, flying via Abu Dhabi, one of the fastest-growing air transport hubs in the world and an increasingly-important connection point for flights to Europe.”