Etihad adds three weekly services to Philippines

The capacity upgrade will increase the number of return flights to 17 per week, a statement said. All flights will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, the airline added.

“The Abu Dhabi-Manila route is one of our strongest in terms of demand and has been capacity-constrained over the past few years,” said Etihad Airways’ president and chief executive James Hogan.

“The new services will increase capacity between the two cities by almost 2,500 seats per week enabling Etihad Airways to better serve the market in the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines for point-to-point travel.”

The capacity upgrade will also help Etihad connect passengers to Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh, all of which are top destinations for travellers from the Philippines.

Hogan added that the new services would also help Etihad and its partner airlines in Europe to grow their leisure and business travel market from the UAE, United Kingdom, France and Italy.

“There’s huge potential to grow the visitor market, particularly from the Middle East and Europe, and we’re keen to work with our European partner airlines, the Philippines Government and its tourism board to showcase the beauty of the country and the friendliness of its people,” he said.

“The three additional weekly services between Abu Dhabi and Manila will help us realise this ambition.”

The additional services are also expected to have an economic impact with potential to boost trade and commerce between the UAE and Philippines, Etihad said. With a belly hold capacity of 18 tonnes, the airline will be able to significantly contribute to grow the export/import business, particularly in the area of electronics and fresh food.

Philippine Airlines currently codeshares with Etihad on the Abu Dhabi-Manila route by placing its code on 14 weekly flights operated by the airline. The partner airlines will offer a combined total of 22 weekly flights between Manila and Abu Dhabi from May 2016.

Etihad Airways first started services to the Philippines in February 2006.