Business & Money | Tuesday 16 June, 2015 9:25 am |

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, today celebrated the start of its daily service to one of Asia’s leading business and leisure destinations, Hong Kong.

To mark the increased frequency, the carrier’s flight to Hong Kong International Airport was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute this morning, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by senior officials from Etihad Airways and Airport Authority Hong Kong.

Guests onboard the flight were presented with commemorative certificates in English and Cantonese, featuring the emblem of Hong Kong, the bauhinia flower.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “Demand for travel
into and out of Greater China has never been stronger. The introduction of a daily frequency to Hong Kong, along with our popular services to Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai, will ensure that business and leisure travellers benefit from convenient timings and connections to suit their needs.

“Our guests travelling from Hong Kong and nearby southern China are now connected to more than 30 destinations across the Gulf region, Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America over Abu Dhabi. In addition, we offer guests travelling to Hong Kong onward connections to a number of destinations across Asia through our codeshare partnerships.”

Etihad Airways’ daily Hong Kong flights are operated using a two-class Airbus A330 aircraft, offering a total of 3,620 seats per week between Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi. Codeshare partners on the route include airberlin, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, NIKI and Hong Kong Airlines.

The increased frequency on Etihad Airways’ Hong Kong service supports trade relations and creates economic benefits by generating revenue, creating jobs and attracting investment. It also enhances import and export activities, especially as Hong Kong is the world’s largest cargo hub.

Etihad Airways flight schedule between Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong:
Flight No. Origin Departs Destination Arrives Frequency Aircraft
EY834 Abu Dhabi (AUH) 21:45 Hong Kong (HKG) 09:45 (+1) Daily A330
EY833 Hong Kong (HKG) 18:55 Abu Dhabi (AUH) 23:25 Daily A330

Note: All departures and arrivals are listed in local time.

PHOTO CAPTION 1 (L-R): Ribbon cutting ceremony with Peter Zhang, Etihad Airways Airport Manager China; Remco Althuis, Etihad Airways China General Manager; Henry Ma, Airport Authority Hong Kong General Manager, Market and Connectivity Development; and Gary Lam, Airport Authority Hong Kong General Manager, China Development and Industry and Government Affairs

About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2014 carried 14.8 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to 110 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 116 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 69 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and eight Airbus A380s.

Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline. Etihad Airways, along with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand that brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com