GERMANY/UAE. airberlin has opened a new route between Berlin and Abu Dhabi, flying four times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday) non-stop between the two locations with its Airbus A330-200.
The new connection also marks the start of the codeshare agreement between airberlin and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, initially covering selected flights in the network of both airlines.
The new route was opened this week by airberlin CEO Hartmut Mehdorn, who was accompanied by the Mayor of Berlin Klaus Wowereit, Berlin Airports COO Dr Manfred A Körtgen, Ambassador for the UAE in Berlin Mohammed Ahmed Al Mahmood, and Etihad Airways Senior Vice President Technical Werner Rothenbaecher.
“This strategic partnership with Etihad Airways not only opens up unique opportunities for the future for airberlin, it also brings a number of benefits for our passengers in terms of access to new routes, including our new all-year-round direct connection to Abu Dhabi,” said Mehdorn, who flew on the inaugural flight AB7494 to Abu Dhabi.
“This flight is integrated into Etihad’s hub system in Abu Dhabi, so we are in a position to offer excellent connections, for example to Asia and Australia. Passengers coming from Abu Dhabi will have access to the numerous connecting flights operated by airberlin, both to destinations in Germany and also to Austria, Scandinavia and Switzerland. This makes the flight attractive for business travellers and holidaymakers alike,” Mehdorn added.
Wowereit said: “The strategic partnership between airberlin and Etihad benefits not only both companies, but also Berlin as an aviation location. The new connection to Abu Dhabi is important in establishing Berlin not just as a European hub but also as a global hub. Connections from the German capital to the UAE, Asia and Australia will also be further improved as a result.”
Al Mahmood said: “The partnership between Etihad Airways and airberlin will enhance the bilateral relations between the UAE and Germany and will greatly promote the economic cooperation as well as the trade, cultural and tourist exchanges between Abu Dhabi and this special part of Germany. It opens up new possiblities for the future of both airlines.
“Abu Dhabi will become airberlin’s new gateway to Asia and Australia and on the other side the partnership with airberlin will give Etihad Airways access to the broad East European market and to millions new passengers and consequently a promising opportunity for global growth. The nonstop flight between our two capitals will help to create new bonds and ties between our peoples and will enrich the strategic partnership between our countries.”
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(L-R) Dr Manfred A Körtgen, COO Berlin Airports; Hartmut Mehdorn CEO airberlin; Klaus Wowereit, the Mayor of Berlin; Mohammed Ahmed Al Mahmood, Ambassador for the UAE in Berlin; and Werner Rothenbaecher, Senior Vice President Technical Etihad Airways officially opened the new route between the German capital city and Abu Dhabi |
Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said: “This flight marks a key milestone in our new partnership with airberlin. We are delighted, through this partnership, to link the capital cities of Germany – a hugely important market for Etihad Airways – and the UAE. We are looking forward to strengthening our ties with airberlin as we work closely over the coming months to explore opportunities to bring the benefits of our partnership to our customers.”
Körtgen explained: “With the new long-haul flight to Abu Dhabi, Berlin is now even better connected with the world. airberlin’s commitment to the location of Berlin clearly shows that aviation in the German capital and surrounding region is a growth market. By entering into partnership with Etihad Airways and joining the global airline alliance oneworld, airberlin is gradually further expanding its network. The inauguration of Berlin Brandenburg Airport in just five months’ time will offer the airlines unique opportunities for growth: As the only European airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport is capable of nearly doubling its air traffic capacities.”
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