Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has launched a four times per week non-stop service linking Dublin to Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi-based airline will operate an Airbus A330-200 aircraft on the route with ten seats in first class, 26 in business and 164 in economy. Flight time is just under 7h 30m.
The new flight will link in with Etihad”s Sydney operation giving passengers a one-stop connection between Australia and Ireland.
To mark the launch of the new service Etihad Airways chief executive, James Hogan, held a press conference at Dublin airport with Irish Minister for Transport and the Marine, Noel Dempsey TD, and chief executive of Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), Declan Collier.
Hogan said: ”Ireland is a significant market for Etihad and one that plays a key role in the strategic development of the airline. We believe that the time and economic conditions are right for the Dublin to Abu Dhabi route to become a major success.
”Etihad continues to fulfil its pledge to provide our customers, throughout the world, with services to the most popular commercial and cultural destinations.”
Dempsey added: ”This is a very exciting time for Irish aviation. The arrival of Etihad Airways is a terrific opportunity for Ireland and Irish tourism. Visitors from the Middle East, Far East and Australia will be brought directly to Ireland, which not only makes their journey easier, but it also presents significant corporate and leisure opportunities for all the markets along the route.”
Collier said: ”The DAA is delighted to support the launch of Etihad”s new service to Abu Dhabi, which represents a significant milestone in connecting Dublin Airport to a growing range of long haul destinations.”