Etihad Airways has started operating daily, non-stop flights between its base in Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong.
The service is operated by the Airbus A330 that features a two-class configuration, with 22 seats in business and 240 in economy.
Etihad has several codeshare partners on the route, including airberlin, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, and Hong Kong Airlines.
Flight EY834 takes off from Abu Dhabi at 2145 and arrives in Hong Kong at 0945 the following day. The morning arrival in Hong Kong should serve business travellers well, as they will benefit from a full day in the city. Meanwhile, the return EY833 service will depart Hong Kong at 1855 and arrive back in Abu Dhabi at 2325.
According to the Gulf carrier, the new service will support trade relations between Hong Kong and the Middle East, while generating revenue, creating jobs and attracting investment. In particular, the route will serve to improve connectivity for passengers flying through Abu Dhabi to onward destinations.
“Demand for travel into and out of Greater China has never been stronger,” said James Hogan, Etihad’s president and chief executive officer.
“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.”
The inaugural flight touched down in the Chinese Special Administrative Region on Tuesday to a traditional water cannon salute, which was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by senior officials of the airline and the Hong Kong Airport Authority.
For more information, visit etihad.com
Clement Huang
