Etihad starts daily flights to Hong Kong

Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad Airways has started daily services to Hong Kong to cater to increasing demand on the route.

The daily flights will be operated using a two-class Airbus A330 aircraft, offering a total of 3,620 seats per week between Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi.

Codeshare partners on the route include airberlin, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, NIKI and Hong Kong Airlines.

The increased frequency supports trade relations and creates economic benefits by generating revenue, creating jobs and attracting investment, the airline said in a statement.

The new service will also enhance import and export activities, especially as Hong Kong is the world’s largest cargo hub, it added.

James Hogan, Etihad’s president and CEO said: “Demand for travel into and out of Greater China has never been stronger. The introduction of a daily frequency to Hong Kong, along with our services to Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai, will ensure that business and leisure travellers benefit from convenient timings and connections to suit their needs.

“Our guests travelling from Hong Kong and nearby southern China are now connected to more than 30 destinations. In addition, we offer guests travelling to Hong Kong onward connections to a number of destinations through our codeshare partnerships.”

The rapidly expanding Etihad has already launched daily services to four destinations this year including Kolkata, Madrid, Entebbe and Edinburgh. It is also slated to begin services to Algiers later this week.

From its Abu Dhabi base, the airline currently flies to 110 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas.

Etihad also has a wider reach through its equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline.