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UAE. Etihad Airways is set to extend its global reach with the addition of six new destinations in the first half of 2015.
The new services will increase the UAE national airline’s network to 107 passenger and cargo destinations, growing its coverage in Europe, Asia and Africa. It will also offer the first non-stop flight between Abu Dhabi and Brisbane and add first class cabins to Singapore, Brisbane and Moscow routes.
New for 2015 are daily flights to Madrid (Spain), Edinburgh (Scotland), Kolkata (India) and Entebbe (East Africa). The airline will also operate four flights a week to Hong Kong and three flights a week to the Algerian capital, Algiers.
Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said: “Our global network development in the first half of 2015 supports a long-term vision to provide travellers with an extensive range of destinations and connections over Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi hub. These new destinations have been selected to expand our coverage and strengthen our customer proposition in the strategically important markets of Europe, Asia and Africa.
“The expansion will also create new opportunities to enhance our codeshare agreements and align operations with key airline partners such as Virgin Australia, Jet Airways, Air Seychelles, Air Europa and Kenya Airways. Between Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong, for instance, our four weekly flights will combine with Air Seychelles’ three weekly flights to provide a daily frequency.”
Commencing on 17 June 2015, the new link with Algiers will be Etihad Airways’ tenth destination in Africa.
“The direct link between the capitals of the UAE and Algeria is another milestone in our African expansion strategy and underscores our ongoing commitment to serve emerging markets. Algeria, the tenth largest country in the world and the largest in Africa, is rich in natural resources, such as oil and natural gas. Our new services will strengthen the oil and gas links between the UAE and Algeria, and create new opportunities for both countries in the areas of government, trade, tourism and cultural exchange,” Hogan said.
The Abu Dhabi – Algiers route will be operated by a three-class Airbus A330-300 aircraft, offering eight seats in First Class, 32 seats in Business Class and 191 seats in Economy Class.
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The daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Edinburgh will begin on 8 June 2015 and will be operated with a two-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft, offering a total of 22 seats in Business Class and 240 seats in Economy Class. Edinburgh is Etihad Airways’ first Scottish destination, and its third departure point from the UK where it offers triple-daily flights from London and double-daily flights from Manchester.
Hogan commented: “Scotland has been on our radar for some time and we are delighted that the first direct connection between its capital, Edinburgh, and the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi, will be operational from next year. The two cities share strong tourism links and the UAE is Scotland’s primary trade partner in the Gulf region, which will fuel strong demand among business and leisure travellers on our non-stop service. Travellers will also benefit from convenient connections to many other destinations, both on our own global network and through our relationships with other airlines.”
At the annual dinner of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association in February this year, Hogan had pledged that Etihad Airways would start flights from Scotland in 2015, adding that a second service would be introduced from Scotland to Abu Dhabi in five years’ time.
Scotland’s Transport Minister Keith Brown commented: “This new route between Edinburgh and Abu Dhabi is fantastic news for Scotland, building on our already strong links with the UAE and providing a major boost to our international connectivity. By removing the need for extra connecting flights, we make Scotland a more attractive place to do business and make it even easier for visitors from around the globe to come and taste the fantastic tourist experience we have to offer. I look forward to this service taking off in the summer of 2015 and have no doubt it will prove a huge success for both Scotland and the UAE.”
Edinburgh Airport Chief Executive Gordon Dewar added: “We are delighted to welcome Etihad Airways to Edinburgh Airport from June 2015. The airline will fly direct to Abu Dhabi, giving the people of Scotland access to the United Arab Emirates and offering our passengers even more choice. With direct flights to over 100 destinations from Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways increases our global connectivity, ensuring Edinburgh Airport truly is where Scotland meets the world.”
VisitScotland Chairman Mike Cantlay said: “The addition of an Abu Dhabi to Edinburgh direct service is exceptional news for Scotland as it unlocks Etihad Airways’ worldwide network and allows us to further attract a wide mix of leisure and business travellers from right across the globe. VisitScotland’s strategy is to develop Scotland’s air connectivity by working with global airlines.
“This exciting new direct route between the capitals of the UAE and Scotland continues to open up our wonderful tourism product to the Middle East, alongside Asia, Australia and Africa. As Scotland welcomes the world in 2014 and beyond, direct air connectivity is absolutely crucial if we are to play on the world stage, and we very much look forward to the arrival of the first flight in 2015,” he concluded.
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Etihad Airways has expanded its network to 107 passenger and cargo destinations worldwide |
Etihad Airways’ new passenger service to Entebbe builds on the success of its Entebbe cargo flights. Daily flights will operate from 1 May 2015, using a two-class Airbus A320 aircraft with 16 Business Class seats and 120 Economy Class seats.
Hogan said the appetite for travel to and from Africa has “never been stronger”, and described Entebbe as a “great addition” to Etihad Airways’ global network.
“We are confident the new passenger route will replicate the positive response our cargo flights have received within their first two months of operation. The UAE is Uganda’s primary trade partner in the GCC, and tourism links are flourishing between the two countries, which will strengthen demand. The flights are also scheduled to offer convenient onward connections, catering to strong traffic flows between Uganda and other destinations in our global network,” he said.
New services, four times a week, between Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong will launch on 15 June 2015. The new flights will complement the existing services offered by Etihad Airways’ codeshare and network partner, Air Seychelles. Hong Kong will become Etihad Airways’ seventh destination in Northeast Asia and its fourth destination in Greater China joining Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai.
Hogan described Hong Kong as an “exciting and significant addition” to the airline’s network. “The new services will offer our guests from Hong Kong and nearby southern China increased travel options and enhanced connections over our Abu Dhabi hub to 34 business and leisure destinations across the Gulf region, Europe and Africa.
“The new flights will support trade ties between the UAE and China, the UAE’s second largest trading partner. Hong Kong, the world’s largest cargo hub and Asia’s dynamic financial centre, gives us huge growth potential and a strengthened product offering for our global cargo customers,” Hogan added.
According to Etihad, the UAE is Hong Kong’s largest export market in the Middle East and Hong Kong exports to the UAE rose +14% to US$4.96 billion in 2013.
A new daily service between Abu Dhabi and Kolkata will operate from 15 February 2015, bringing the total number of Indian cities served by Etihad Airways to 11, including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mumbai, New Delhi and Trivandrum.
Hogan said: “India, one of the world’s largest growing travel markets, has always been an important destination for Etihad Airways. The launch of our new Kolkata services demonstrates our enduring commitment to serve the Indian market and people, whether in India or overseas. We are confident that this new service, our first to Northeastern India, will boost travel and trade between the UAE and India, further strengthen our presence in India, and connect key strategic cities with Abu Dhabi.
“Beyond our Abu Dhabi hub, travellers will have great opportunities to conveniently connect to the Gulf region and Middle East, as well as Europe, North America and Africa,” he added.
Etihad Airways already places its EY flight code on its codeshare and network partner, Jet Airways’ domestic routes from hubs in Mumbai and Bangalore to Kolkata. The UAE flag carrier recently announced a major expansion of its codeshare agreement with Jet Airways, offering travellers enhanced connections throughout India and bringing the number of codeshare services offered by both airlines to 71.
The new Abu Dhabi – Kolkata route will be operated by a two-class Airbus A320 aircraft offering 16 seats in Business Class and 120 seats in Economy Class.
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Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer James Hogan: “Our global network development in the first half of 2015 supports a long-term vision to provide travellers with an extensive range of destinations and connections over Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi hub” |
Etihad Airways’ first service to Spain will begin with daily flights to Madrid on 29 March 2015. The new route will be operated to Madrid Barajas Airport using a two-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft, offering a total of 22 seats in Business Class and 240 seats in Economy Class.
“The introduction of daily flights to Madrid will strengthen our network in Europe and provide a much-needed direct link between Spain and Abu Dhabi,” Hogan said. “Demand is expected to be strong, boosted not only by strong tourism links, but also the UAE’s position as Spain’s largest trade partner in the GCC region, with trade between the two countries increasing by +75% between 2009 and 2012.
“Travellers will also benefit from connections to other destinations, through our global network and codeshare partnerships with other airlines. The initial response towards our codeshare operations with Spain’s Air Europa, which launched in April 2014, has been particularly strong and we look forward to extending this cooperation in the future, subject to regulatory approval.”
From June 2015 Etihad Airways’ existing daily flight to Brisbane, now operated via Singapore, will become a direct service, offering the first non-stop connection between the city and Abu Dhabi. The route will be operated using a three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with the airline offering First Suite, Business Studio and Economy Smart Seat categories.
Further service upgrades in June 2015 include the introduction of a three-class Airbus A330-300 aircraft on daily flights to Singapore, and a three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on daytime flights to Moscow, marking the debut of First Class cabins on both of the existing routes.
Hogan said the introduction of non-stop flights was a response to strong two-way demand for travel on the Brisbane-Abu Dhabi sector and beyond to the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
“Since we started services between Brisbane and Abu Dhabi in 2007, the route has gone from strength to strength and we have now carried more than 520,000 passengers on the route. The introduction of the first ever daily non-stop service between Brisbane and Abu Dhabi enables us to build on the route’s robust performance by offering our strongest customer proposition yet – an enhanced onboard experience, shorter travel times, and the convenience of one-stop connectivity to popular destinations in the Middle East, Africa and Europe,” he said.
“Etihad Airways’ first Boeing 787 will enter the fleet in December 2014 and Queenslanders will be among the first in the world to experience the aircraft’s next generation product and service offering. The brand new First Suites, Business Studios and Economy Smart Seats were five years in the making and I am confident that they will be game-changers for the Brisbane market,” Hogan added.
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman said the Queensland Government welcomed the move to introduce direct flights to Brisbane from Abu Dhabi. “It is a huge show of confidence by Etihad Airways in the Brisbane and Queensland market and our ability to attract a growing number of travellers. For the travelling public, both business and tourist, the direct flights obviously mean a reduction in travel time, allowing them to enjoy more time in our great state, he said.
“We’re incredibly excited and look forward to working in partnership with Etihad Airways to grow this important market,” Newman added.
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Etihad’s new destinations have been selected to expand its coverage and strengthen its customer proposition in “the strategically important” markets of Europe, Asia and Africa |
Hogan also highlighted the significant commercial opportunities for Etihad Airways’ partnership with Virgin Australia. “Through our partnership with Virgin Australia, Etihad Airways already offers codeshare flights from 15 towns and cities throughout Queensland to our global network of destinations, via Brisbane. The ability to offer convenient one-stop travel from Virgin Australia’s regional Queensland network to our Abu Dhabi hub adds immensely to the appeal and competitiveness of our joint services.
“Our non-stop flights better position Etihad Airways to contribute to the economic development of Queensland by offering international travellers enhanced connectivity to the state’s diverse holiday and business destinations. We look forward to working with the Queensland Government and our industry partners to increase business and leisure tourism and to continue the Brisbane route’s success,” he said.
Etihad Airways currently codeshares with Virgin Australia to Bundaberg, Cloncurry, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Mount Isa, Sunshine Coast, Mackay, Moranbah, Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Proserpine, Rockhampton and Townsville. Guests who travel with Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia are offered the convenience of a single ticket purchase, through-checked baggage and convenient flight connections, the airline said.
Etihad Airways commenced three weekly flights to Brisbane and Singapore on 28 September 2007 and increased frequency to daily on 1 February 2013. The airline has strong ties with the Queensland Government and its agency, Tourism & Events Queensland. It has supported major marketing initiatives such as the Million Dollar Memo, and in 2011 donated US$1 million to the Queensland Flood Appeal. Its shareholder, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, also donated US$30 million to the Government of Queensland to build five category five cyclone shelters for use as multi-purpose centres year round.
Etihad Airways said its global passenger and cargo network will increase to 107 destinations following the route expansion in the first half of 2015. This total includes five new routes launched this year to Medina, Jaipur, Zurich, Los Angeles and Yerevan, and four upcoming services to Perth, Rome, Phuket and Dallas, which commence over the remainder of 2014.
The airline said it would continue to increase frequencies on existing services in 2015 and network depth will be added to important markets across the North America, Middle East and Indian subcontinent regions.
As part of the Etihad Airways’ ongoing fleet development, nine aircraft are scheduled for delivery in the first half of next year, comprising three Airbus A380s, three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and three A320 family aircraft. The airline currently has 102 aircraft in its fleet, with over 210 additional aircraft on firm order, plus options and purchase rights for 81 further aircraft.
