Manchester debut for Etihad
WTM Special report: UAE carrier Etihad Airways is to add Manchester as its third UK departure airport with daily flights to Abu Dhabi.
The airline plans to run the service from next March using 300-passenger Airbus A330s.
The service from the North West hub will complement the carrier’s connections to the Gulf region from Heathrow and Gatwick.
Etihad was only established in 2003 but now serves 19 destinations and aims for dramatic growth to create a network of 70 cities by 2010.
The Manchester launch will follow the start of a Johannesburg connection from December 1.
The airline also plans to debut a new in-flight service on Boeing 777s from Gatwick in January.
UK & Ireland general manager Peter Dunkin, speaking at World Travel Market, said: “We are delighted to be starting services from Manchester. This will provide excellent links between the north of the UK, the United Arab emirates, Asia and the Far East.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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