Code sharing or codeshare is an aviation business term for the practice of multiple airlines selling space on the same flights, where a seat can be purchased on one airline as if it was actually operated by a cooperating airline under a different flight number or code. The term "code" refers to the identifier used in flight schedule, generally the 2-character IATA airline designator code and flight number. Thus, XX123, flight 123 operated by the airline XX, might also be sold by airline YY as YY456 and by ZZ as ZZ9876. It allows greater access to cities through a given airline's network without having to offer extra flights, and makes connections simpler by allowing single bookings across multiple planes.
The agreement between the Scandinavian and Ethiopian airlines will enable Ethiopian Sheba Mile Members to accumulate miles when flying SAS flights, and the very same advantage for SAS EuroBonus holders when flying Ethiopian Airlines.
SAS is the flag carrier of Norway, Denmark and Sweden, and the largest airline in Scandinavia. Ethiopian Airlines is the national airline of Ethiopia. Both airlines were formed in the mid 1940s. SAS was one of the founding members of the Star Alliance, while Ethiopian is preparing to be a member.
Read more about the agreement on: http://www.erta.gov.et/news/morenews.php?category=news&type=news&morenewsid=2120
Website for SAS in Norway: www.sas.no
Website for Ethiopian Airlines: www.ethiopianairlines.com