Etihad to fly double-daily flights to Rome soon

In response to surging demand, Etihad Airways unveiled plans to increase its services between Abu Dhabi Zayed International (AUH) and Rome (FCO). The national carrier has launched double-daily flights to the Italian capital which will commence on November 1, 2024.

The airline said its flight calendar to Rome will change significantly, transitioning from 11 weekly flights to a twice-daily schedule, catering to the burgeoning travel needs of its customers.

Etihad expands seats, coverage

Arik De, chief revenue and commercial officer at Etihad Airways, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, stating, “With our morning and afternoon departures from Abu Dhabi and sensational value fares, our double-daily Rome flights will serve up sweet timings for UAE residents wishing to have a break in Italy.”

De further emphasised the strategic significance of the enhanced flight schedule, highlighting its potential to facilitate seamless travel experiences for passengers, both in terms of business engagements and leisure pursuits. He reiterated Etihad’s unwavering commitment to bolstering Abu Dhabi’s prominence as a preferred travel destination while fortifying connectivity across its global network.

The augmented flight frequency will translate into nearly 10,000 seats per week between the two vibrant capitals, representing a substantial year-on-year capacity surge of 22 percent.

This move underscores Etihad’s proactive approach to meeting evolving travel demands and enhancing customer satisfaction.

The double-daily services will be operated utilising Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777-300 aircraft from Etihad’s modern wide-body fleet, renowned for its award-winning cabin service.

Etihad Airways looks at possible listing

The news of the additional flights comes as Etihad Airwars gets ready for an IPO, according to Reuters.

The airline is looking at being listed after marking an extremely profitable year in 2023.

Etihad Airways said it carried 14 million passengers in 2023, a 40 per cent year-on-year increase, driven by robust demand for travel across the airline’s growing network post-pandemic. The national carrier’s full-year passenger revenue came in at $1.1bn (Dhs4bn) while its net profit stood at $143m (Dhs525m). The group’s passenger load factor stood at 86 per cent in 2023, up from 82 per cent the previous year.