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29 March 2024

Etihad launches 8 new routes

Published
By Staff

Etihad Airways announced its route expanse plans to introduce three more destinations to its core international network in 2014.

The airline will commence daily services to Rome and Jaipur, together with four flights per week to the Armenian capital, Yerevan.

The new routes will join a previously announced daily service to Los Angeles and three flights per week to Dallas, plus daily services to Zurich (June 1), Perth (July 15) and Medina (February 1), all of which are scheduled to commence next year.

Jaipur, which launches on April 1, is part of Etihad’s India expansion plans, which will bring the total number of Indian cities served by Etihad to 10, with existing routes including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mumbai, New Delhi and Trivandrum.

Etihad Airways has doubled the number of flights and tripled the number of seats to Mumbai and New Delhi, adding a second daily service and introducing wide-bodied jets on both routes from Abu Dhabi, effective immediately.

Earlier this month, the airline also detailed out plans for a major expansion drive into India next year, with increasing capacity to Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi and Hyderabad.

Announcing its expanded schedules to major Indian gateways Mumbai and New Delhi, Etihad confirmed 2,996 seats in each direction from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai, while also confirming 2,730 seats in each direction to the Indian capital.

With India firmly on the flight plan, the dailies to Los Angeles that launches on June 1, will further the airline’s US expansion drive with December 3 being the next date for its three-time weekly flight to Dallas.

The eight new routes will increase Etihad’s worldwide network to 102 destinations next year.

James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “This is part of a measured and strategic growth plan, which will reinforce the future of the national carrier of the UAE and the vital role it plays in the emergence of Abu Dhabi as a global aviation hub.

“Together with our code-share and equity alliance partners, we have created a virtual network of more than 375 destinations. This collaborative model gives us scale and enhanced global market access in constrained regions.

“But more importantly, it strengthens our customer proposition by offering more choice and better connections across our hub in Abu Dhabi.”

Etihad’s equity alliance airlines presently includes airberlin, Aer Lingus, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Darwin Airline (subject to regulatory approval), Jet Airways and Virgin Australia.

The 2014 network plan also makes provision for increases in frequency and connectivity on existing routes, with more than 20 per cent growth expected in weekly departures.

To support the next phase of its global network expansion, Etihad Airways will receive 20 aircraft deliveries next year, including the much-awaited arrival of its first 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A380s.

The airline will also receive five Boeing 777-200LRs, one Boeing 777-300ER, three Airbus A320s, three Airbus A321s, four Airbus A330-200s and one Airbus A330 Freighter in 2014.

In total, Etihad Airways has over 220 narrow-body and wide-body aircraft on firm order, plus options and purchase rights for a further 81 aircraft.

This includes recent orders for 117 Airbus and 82 Boeing aircraft with a combined list price value of $67 billion, as announced at the Dubai Air Show last month.

Hogan added: “With ambitious plans to further accelerate our industry-leading growth in the future, the long-term expansion of our fleet is essential. Our future deliveries will allow us to progressively replace existing, less-efficient aircraft, add capacity in existing markets, and launch flights to more destinations, with over 30 new international routes planned by 2020.”