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Etihad to double flights to Indian destinations

9 Dec 2013 by GrahamSmith

Etihad Airways has announced plans to double the number of flights to several Indian destinations next year, following the completion of its deal to buy a 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways.

The Gulf carrier will up its daily service to Kochi to double daily from June, while the same increase will be implemented on its Bangalore and Chennai routes in July and on its Hyderabad service in October.

It has already doubled its flights, and deployed wide-bodied A330 and A340 aircraft, on its Mumbai and New Delhi routes (see news, September 23). First class cabins have been introduced on the Mumbai evening services.

Etihad will also operate an A321 aircraft seating 174 passengers on all Abu Dhabi to Chennai services, and between Abu Dhabi and Kochi from June.

Subject to regulatory approvals in a range of countries, Etihad and Jet also plan to codeshare on each other's flights between Abu Dhabi, India and other markets in the Middle East, North America and Europe.

Etihad Airways will also codeshare on new flights by Jet Airways between India and the US, via its Abu Dhabi hub - again subject to regulatory approval.

If given the goahead, United States-bound passengers will be able to clear US immigration and customs at Abu Dhabi Airport.

James Hogan, president and CEO of Etihad, said: "India is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing air travel markets, and will play an increasingly important role in our growth.

"Through our purchase of 24 per cent of Jet Airways – the first foreign investment permitted in an Indian airline – we have laid the foundations for major and exciting growth in air services between Abu Dhabi and India, and beyond throughout our global network.

"Subject to receiving regulatory approvals, we will continue to expand our Abu Dhabi – India operations and work with our growing stable of partners to accommodate strong growth and deliver much greater choice for travel to and from India."

Etihad's £248 million deal to buy a 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways completed last month (see news, November 20).

etihad.com

Graham Smith

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