Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will commence code share services to Hong Kong in February 2013 in partnership with Air Seychelles, subject to regulatory approval.
ABU DHABI – The three weekly return services between Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong will be operated by Etihad Arways’ equity and code share partner, Air Seychelles. The new code share expands Etihad Airways’ network in Greater China, following the launch of services to Beijing in March 2008, to Chengdu in December 2011, and Shanghai in March this year.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “Hong Kong’s fast growing economy and booming middle class have brought a remarkable increase in the number of travellers in recent years.”
“The new service connects two of the world’s leading international financial and tourism centres, a move we believe will stimulate the growth of commerce and trade between the UAE and China, the UAE’s second largest trading partner.”
The flight schedule will provide leisure and business passengers from Hong Kong with seamless connectivity through Etihad Airways’ hub in Abu Dhabi, to key destinations across the GCC and to key destinations in Europe including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Ireland.
The schedule also allows two-way connectivity between Hong Kong and the Seychelles, supporting a booming tourism industry on the archipelago.
“With our 40 per cent equity stake in Air Seychelles, it makes strong commercial sense for us to work together on opportunities where cooperation is possible. The resulting synergies bring about significant efficiency benefits for both Etihad Airways and Air Seychelles,” Mr Hogan added.
Air Seychelles will operate an A330-200 aircraft in a two-class configuration on the route, with 18 Pearl Business class and 236 Coral Economy class seats.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
