Etihad Airways is to launch a daily Edinburgh to Abu Dhabi service from June 2015, the airline has confirmed.
The new route will be operated with a two-class A330 aircraft, offering a total of 22 seats in business class and 240 seats in economy class.
Edinburgh is Etihad’s first Scottish destination and third departure point from the UK. It currently operates triple-daily flights from London, and double-daily flights from Manchester.
Etihad Airways’ president and CEO James Hogan, said: “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,” said Hogan.
Scotland's transport minister, Keith Brown, said: “This new route between Edinburgh and Abu Dhabi is fantastic news for Scotland, building on our already strong links with the United Arab Emirates 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.”
EtihadAirways.com