Abu Dhabi’s Etihad to launch new service to Vienna

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways will launch new daily scheduled year-round flights to Austria’s capital Vienna later this year, it announced on Monday.

The route will be operated using a two-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which features 290 seats – including 28 in business and 262 seats in economy class

It will initially begin with four weekly flights between May 22 and June 30, daily from July 1 to August 31, five times weekly from September 1 to November 30, and daily onwards from December 1, 2020, a statement said.

Flight EY53 will depart Abu Dhabi at 2.55am and arrive in Vienna at 7am. The return flight EY54 will leave from the Austrian capital at 11.45am and land in the UAE capital at 7.10pm.

Etihad is introducing the new service to cater to point-to-point business and leisure travellers between the UAE and Austria, and to promote direct inbound tourism to Abu Dhabi, the statement said.

The introduction of the widebody aircraft on the route will also provide Etihad with increased belly-hold cargo capacity between Abu Dhabi and Vienna, and across the Etihad Cargo network.

Robin Kamark, chief commercial officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Vienna is the largest unserved market from Abu Dhabi and the announcement of this route brings the number of our European passenger destinations to 22.

“Austria is an important trade and tourism partner for the UAE and the new flights will enable us to take advantage of the increasing business and leisure demand between the two countries.

“Trade between the UAE and Austria is strong and there are approximately 180 Austrian companies operating in the emirates. Tourism has been increasing in both directions with Austria becoming an increasingly popular year-round destination with UAE nationals and residents.”

He added: “We are delighted to be initiating a direct service between both capitals in time for the summer.”

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