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Etihad Airways’ direct non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi and Madrid bring more choice for travellers as the airline connects Spain to its rapidly expanding flight network.
Speaking at a media gathering in Madrid to mark the start of the new capital to capital link, James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said the airline’s global network brings major benefits to Spain and delivers enhanced flight connections to and from the country.
Mr Hogan said: “Our new Madrid service gives Spanish business and leisure travellers greater access to the UAE with a total of 2,096 weekly seats on offer. It also provides convenient two-way connections via our Abu Dhabi hub to important markets on Etihad Airways’ strong global network.”
The Madrid service is operated four times per week by an Airbus A330-200 aircraft with a total of 262 seats in a two-class configuration: 22 Business Class and 240 Economy Class.
Air travellers can now fly from Madrid, with one stop in Abu Dhabi and connect conveniently onto 30 destinations across the Gulf region, Africa, Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia, through Etihad Airways and its partner airlines.
From Madrid, travellers can connect on the network of Etihad Airways’ codeshare partner, Air Europa, to eight cities in Spain including Barcelona, Bilbao, Gran Canaria, La Coruna, Lanzarote, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife and Vigo, and also to Santo Domingo – the capital of the Dominican Republic.
Still more Spanish cities open up a result of Etihad Airways’ recently signed interline agreement with Spanish rail operator, Renfe. The agreement gives travellers rail transport options beyond Madrid to 28 Spanish cities including Barcelona, Malaga and Valencia. Guests can also book connections between Barcelona and eight points in Spain.
“The greater choice for travellers is a testament to the depth and strength of our business model. Our partnership strategy enables us to work with other airlines to offer more flights, to more destinations with more connections,” Mr Hogan said.
In addition to providing access for business travellers and holidaymakers, Mr Hogan said the new service between Abu Dhabi and Madrid will also drive and support the trade and cultural ties between the UAE and Spain.
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2014 carried 14.8 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to or has announced 111 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 almost 200 aircraft on order, including 69 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and eight Airbus A380s.
Etihad Airways has equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia, and is in the process of formalizing an investment in Swiss-based Darwin Airline, which trades as Etihad Regional. Etihad Airways, along with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participates 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.
Etihad Airways operates a two-class Airbus A320 aircraft between Abu Dhabi and Cyprus. It is configured to carry 136 passengers, with 16 seats in business class and 120 in economy class. Flight EY093 flies every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It departs from Abu Dhabi at 10:10 and arrives in Larnaca at 13:35. The return flight, EY094, departs from Larnaca at 14:30 and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 19:30 local time.
For more information visit www.etihad.com
