Etihad Airways will today (December 10) inaugurate its “first ever” service to South Korea, serving Seoul’s Incheon Airport daily out of Abu Dhabi.
But the carrier will meet with tough competition from its main Middle Eastern rivals, Emirates and Qatar Airways, both of which also operate daily flights to Incheon from their respective hubs.
Qatar serves Incheon out of Doha with a two-class A330-300, while Etihad will use the same aircraft but in three classes. Dubai-based Emirates, however, serves Seoul with a three-class A380.
Travellers living or working near to the neighbouring emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai will now be able to choose between Etihad and Emirates. But Etihad’s decision to open this route, in the face of such stiff competition, would suggest there is enough demand for it.
Etihad has chosen flight times that will appeal to connecting passengers from both Europe and the Middle East, with a 2245 flight (EY876) from Abu Dhabi on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and a 1005 flight (EY872) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Both flights offer good connection times for European travellers arriving at Abu Dhabi on morning and evening services.
Fares on flights from the Middle East to Seoul are also likely to be competitive, with all three airlines looking to price keenly.
For more information visit etihadairways.com.
Report by Andrew Gough
