Etihad Airways’ new service to the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, will take off this Thursday, 4 May, a day after the UAE’s national airline launches its latest European destination, Paris.
The new Dhaka service – which increases from four to five flights-a-week from June – continues Etihad’s commitment of providing frequent quality air travel between the Middle East and the Asian sub-continent.
The new destination follows Etihad Airways’ ambitious plans to link Abu Dhabi to the world’s most important commercial and cultural centres, and will provide a major service to the 350,000 Bangladeshi nationals based in the UAE.
“This new Etihad service between Abu Dhabi and Dhaka will enable Guests to travel in style between the two regions, further strengthening the economic and diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and the UAE. Business interests are growing year-on-year between the Middle East and Asian sub-continent, and Etihad will be able to support this demand with our frequent air services,” said Geert Boven, VP Commercial, Etihad Airways.
The UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh, Khalfan Battal Ali Al-Mansouri, has also underlined the development of ties between the two countries, saying that it is important for both countries to enhance trade, investment and economic activities.
The new service will offer a total weekly capacity of 1,465 seats, and 15 tons of cargo, in each direction.
“The Dhaka route is a vital commercial and leisure route. As well as enabling Gulf-based Bangladeshi families to visit one another, the new route also opens up new business opportunities for UAE businesses to invest in Bangladesh’s growing economy,” continued Boven.
Cont…
Dhaka will be Etihad’s eighth destination in the Asian sub-continent, joining new and established Etihad routes to Colombo, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Peshawar.
It will also be the 30th destination on Etihad’s rapidly expanding network, which includes the start of services to nine new destinations in 2006.
This network growth is bringing new business for Etihad Crystal Cargo, the cargo division within the airline, and the new Abu Dhabi – Dhaka route will further strengthen its reputation as a world-class cargo operator.
The major industry in Bangladesh is agriculture, but with much of the current focus on diversifying its economy, growth in the manufacturing and energy sectors looks set to continue.
The Abu Dhabi-based international airline will operate some of the world’s most technologically advanced aircraft to Dhaka, including the modern Airbus A330-200, in a two zone configuration, designed to offer high standards of comfort, luxury and style.
Etihad Airways, twice awarded the title of the “world’s leading new airline,” has recently taken delivery of its third purpose-built Airbus A330-200 and fourth Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
The new fleet are part of a record order for 29 new aircraft, to the value of US$8 billion, which are scheduled for delivery in Abu Dhabi in the next two years.
The new Etihad route between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Dhaka (DAC) operates as follows:
Day Flight no. Depart Arrive
Monday EY 251 AUH 01:30 DAC 08:00
Monday EY 252 DAC 09:15 AUH 12:35
Tuesday EY 251 AUH 01:30 DAC 08:00
Tuesday EY 252 DAC 09:15 AUH 12:35
Wednesday EY 251 AUH 01:30 DAC 08:00
Wednesday EY 252 DAC 09:15 AUH12:35 Thursday EY 251 AUH 01:30 DAC 08:00
Thursday EY 252 DAC 09:15 AUH 12:35
Sunday EY 251 AUH 01:30 DAC 08:00
Sunday EY 252 DAC 09:15 AUH 12:35
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is the world’s leading new airline and will now offer flights for Guests and cargo to 30 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.
Etihad Crystal Cargo – www.crystalcargo.ae – offers a comprehensive range of cargo services throughout Etihad’s network, and services its many all-cargo destinations and world-wide charters with a fleet of modern regional freighter aircraft.
Etihad Holidays - www.etihadholidays.com - offers a range of innovative holiday options to 69 destinations across 23 countries. Packages include skiing, fly-drives, cruises and tours.
Through these exciting divisions, Etihad Airways is changing the way people see the world.
For more information about this award-winning aviation group, please visit www.etihadairways.com
