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ETIHAD AIRWAYS BUILDS ON DUBLIN SUCCESS

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is to increase its flying programme to Dublin following the success of its services to Ireland's capital city, moving from its current daily service to 10 flights per week from March 28, 2010.

Etihad launched its Irish service in July 2007 with an initial four flights a week, increasing to six and then moving to a daily service in March 2008.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways' chief executive officer, said: "Dublin has been one of our most successful ever destination launches, with more than 300,000 people flying on these services since launch and an average seat factor of 80 per cent.

"We have steadily increased frequencies on the route in line with demand not only on the Dublin-Abu Dhabi route, but also via Abu Dhabi to and from our destinations in the Far East, such as Bangkok and Sydney.

"The latest increase in our Irish flying is indicative of the huge confidence we have in this important market."

Supporting this increase in services, Etihad is planning a new lounge at Dublin airport, which is set to open in 2010.

The new lounge will offer Etihad's premium customers a range of top quality facilities and services, including workstations, a prayer room, a relaxing seating area with Italian leather chairs, a selection of foods from around the world and luxurious bathroom and shower facilities.

Commenting on Etihad's announcement this afternoon Dublin Airport Authority Chief Executive, Declan Collier said: "Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is delighted that Etihad has decided to expand its services into Dublin from next March and we look forward to welcoming them to our new T2 facility.  Etihad's decision to expand its flight schedule is also an endorsement of the facilities and good value available to airline customers at Dublin Airport."

Etihad Airways provides a complimentary limousine service for its business class passengers flying into and out of Dublin airport.

The quality of Etihad's Irish service has been recognised with two industry awards - ‘Best Business Class Airline' at the 2008 & 2009 Irish Travel Trade News Awards and the ‘Global Business Airline 2010' by the Institute of Transport Management.

These awards were followed by Etihad Airways taking the top award at the recent World Travel Awards (WTA), having been voted World's Leading Airline by more than 180,000 travel industry professionals from over 175 countries.

The World Travel Awards recognise the very best airline, hospitality and tourism brands in the world, with industry experts vetting nominations for their customer relations, creativity, quality of service, product innovation and business acumen.

The airline has been a lead sponsor of the GAA All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship since 2008.

Etihad operates a two cabin A330-200 to Dublin, configured to carry 262 passengers, with 22 in business class and 240 in economy class.

In addition to its own services to Dublin, Etihad Airways offers services on its code share partner airline Aer Arann between Dublin and Cork, Galway and the Isle of Man. 

Notes:

Etihad currently operates seven flights a week between Abu Dhabi and Dublin. The additional three flights will enable the airline to operate a double-daily service three days a week - on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The full schedule from March 28, 2010 is as follows:

 

Flight              Sector                                    Days                                                    Time

EY45               Abu Dhabi-Dublin        Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun            2.15am - 7.50am

EY42               Dublin-Abu Dhabi        Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun            9.50am - 8.15pm

EY41               Abu Dhabi-Dublin        Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun                              9.15am - 2.50pm

EY48               Dublin-Abu Dhabi        Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun                              8.55pm - 7.20am*

* denotes next day

- Ends -

                                                                             

About Etihad Airways

 

• Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi.
  
  
• Currently Etihad offers flights to over 58 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.

• In 2007 the airline announced partnerships with London-based Chelsea Football Club and Harlequins Rugby Football Club.

• In 2008 Etihad Airways signed a three-year sponsorship deal with the Ferrari F1 team, the current Formula One world championship holders.
  
  
• Also in 2008 Etihad Airways continued to strengthen its ties with Ireland with the announcement that it is a lead sponsor and the official airline of the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship.
  
  
• In late 2008 Etihad's marketing activity in relation to it's sponsorship of the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship won the European Sponsorship of the year award in the Business to Consumer category.
  
  
• In January 2009 Etihad Airways made the announcement of a new code share agreement with Aer Arann which will provide travellers from Cork, Galway and the Isle of Man with greater access to 58 destinations around the world through its Abu Dhabi hub.
  
  
• 2009 also saw the famous Telstra Dome in Melbourne re-named the Etihad Stadium.
  
  
• In May 2009 Etihad signed a three-year deal to be the official shirt sponsor and partner of Premier League side, Manchester City FC. The Etihad Airways brand logo appears on Manchester City shirts from this summer.

 

For further information, contact:

The Etihad Airways Irish Press Office at MQ2 Communications

Office telephone: 01 671 9586

Mobile:

Malachí Quinn:            086 828 1440

E-mail:  mquinn@mq2.ie

Etihad Airways Corporate Communications:

Telephone: + 971 (0) 2505 8006 / 8336 / 8055

Visit: www.etihadairways.com or www.etihadmediacentre.com