New routes will boost trade to both countries
Etihad Airways began scheduled services between its hub in Abu Dhabi and Chengdu in southwest China this week. It also launched four weekly services to Düsseldorf in Germany.
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, will also be served by four non-stop, return services per week. While services to Düsseldorf will increase to offer daily flights from April 2012.
CEO of Etihad Airways, James Hogan, said the Chengdu route had special significance as the first and only direct flight link between Sichuan province and the UAE.
“The new services will open convenient new gateways for travel to and from Europe, the Middle East and North Africa and stimulate growth of trade between the UAE and China, already the Emirates’ third largest trading partner.”
Mr Hogan said forecast demand from the passenger and cargo sectors was strong and the airline expected to go daily when commercially viable.
“The Chengdu Municipal Government and airport authorities have been great supporters and we look forward to working together to make the route a commercial success.”
The Mayor of Chengdu Mr Honglin Ge said, “The commencement of Etihad Airways services to Chengdu is an exciting event for the people of Chengdu and we are delighted to welcome them joining us to promote the development of an air transport hub in Chengdu.”
Speaking in Düsseldorf, Etihad Airways’ CCO, Peter Baumgartner said, “Germany is a strategically important market for us.
“We have carried more than 1.7 million passengers to and from Germany since we started flights to Munich back in 2004, and now we operate 25 weekly services to Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich.
Congratulating Etihad Airways and Düsseldorf Airport on the launch of services from the UAE capital to Düsseldorf, HE Mohammed Ahmed Al Mahmood, UAE Ambassador to Germany said: “Etihad Airways’ new route to Düsseldorf will enhance industrial relations and promote economic cooperation, trade and tourism between the UAE and Germany.
“This development is part of the Abu Dhabi government’s keenness to develop good relations with Germany in various fields, vital for the implementation of the Abu Dhabi 2030 strategy.”
In other major developments this week, Etihad Airways signed a codeshare agreement with Hainan Airlines applicable to flights from Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu to Abu Dhabi and Khartoum, and exchanged a Letter of Intent with Sichuan Airlines Co Ltd covering broad areas of commercial cooperation.
