(16 December 2012)
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, today announced it would commence codeshare services to Hong Kong on March 24, 2013.
The three return services per week, operated by Etihad Airways’ equity and codeshare partner, Air Seychelles, are available for sale from tomorrow (December 16).
Hong Kong is Etihad Airways’ fourth destination in Greater China joining Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai in the airline’s expanding China network.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, said Hong Kong was an exciting and significant addition to the Etihad Airways network.
"The new service will connect Abu Dhabi, the capital and financial centre of the UAE, with Hong Kong, one of the most dynamic financial and commercial hubs in North Asia.
"It will create new business opportunities for trading partners in both the UAE and Hong Kong and provide additional seat capacity and convenience for travellers between the two ends of the route and beyond.
“This is also an important move for our partner, Air Seychelles, as the connection of the Seychelles and Asia will support the vital tourism industry on the archipelago.”
The flight schedule will provide convenient connectivity from Hong Kong over Etihad Airways’ hub in Abu Dhabi, to key destinations across the GCC, and to European destinations including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Ireland.
Etihad Cargo, a division of Etihad Airways, operates a three times a week service from its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport to Hong Kong.
Air Seychelles will operate an A330-200 aircraft in a two-class configuration on the sector, offering 18 Pearl Business class and 236 Economy class seats.