ABU DHABI, 20th September, 2016 (WAM) -- Etihad Airways is to add three weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Sydney, bring the service to 'double-daily' from 6th of February, 2017.
This enhancement to the airlines Sydney schedule comes with the move by strategic partner, Virgin Australia, to move its Australia - Abu Dhabi operations from Sydney to Perth with effect from 9th June, 2017.
Expanding the codeshare agreement, Etihad Airways will add its EY code to Virgin Australias new three weekly Perth - Abu Dhabi flights.
The combined impact of the additional Sydney capacity and new codeshare arrangement with Virgin Australia is an increase in the UAE flag carriers Australian footprint from a total of 42 to 45 weekly flights.
To maintain schedule continuity, Etihad Airways will operate its three new weekly Sydney services at the same timings as Virgin Australias current Sydney-Abu Dhabi flights, on which Etihad Airways has placed its EY code since they began in February, 2011.
Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, Peter Baumgartner, said, "Australia is a critical part of our network, and we will continue to add capacity in order to meet the growing two-way demand for business and leisure travel.
"The allocation of our newest equipment, the A380 and B787, to all four Australian gateways, and investment of our next-generation product and service offering, demonstrate our commitment to this highly competitive market." Mr. Baumgartner also highlighted the benefits for travellers of the new codeshare with Virgin Australia and capacity increase on the Perth route.
"From mid-2017, business and leisure travellers on the Perth route will enjoy the convenience of 10 weekly non-stop flights to our Abu Dhabi hub, and seamless connectivity to more than 55 cities across Etihad Airways global network." The additional Sydney flights will be operated by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER, configured with eight seats in First Class, 40 in Business Class and 280 in Economy Class.
Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2016.
