Etihad Airways starting Abu Dhabi-Hyderabad service from November 2009; offering reduced fares from Heathrow

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is launching non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, and Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh state in India, four times a week from November 2009.

The new service will be upgraded to daily flights from early 2010, a press release from Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, said.

Etihad’s international network at present covers the Middle East, North America, Europe, the Indian subcontinent, Africa, the Far East, and Australia.

On the planned Hyderabad-Abu Dhabi route, Etihad Airways will use a two-class Airbus A320 aircraft that will carry 140 passengers – 20 passengers in the business-class and 120 passengers in the economy-class.

With the addition of Hyderabad, Etihad Airways will be flying to a total of 7 destinations in India.

The carrier at present operates 38 flights a week from Abu Dhabi to the Indian cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kozhikode.

Etihad Airways said in the press release that it is making efforts to obtain traffic rights from Abu Dhabi to more cities in India, including Bangalore.

James Hogan, chief executive of Etihad Airways, said in the press release that Hyderabad is a key destination in India which is not at present served directly from Abu Dhabi and, therefore, “it is a great opportunity for Etihad.”

Hogan added that the airline is certain that the large Hyderabadi community living and working in Abu Dhabi will “warmly welcome” the new service.

The Indian media quoted Sripathy, chief executive officer of GMR Hyderabad International Airport, as remarking that Etihad Airways’ proposed Hyderabad-Abu Dhabi air service will provide “a wider choice” for those people who wish to travel to the United Arab Emirates from Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways is now offering reduced fares on its Coral Economy flights from London’s Heathrow Airport to a few of the airline’s key destinations, for travel from September 1, 2009 to March 31, March 2010, and from November 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010.

The following are the destinations and fares:

* For travel from September 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010: Abu Dhabi/Dubai (from £250); Bangkok (from £390); Johannesburg (from £420); Kuala Lumpur (from £429).

* For travel from November 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010: Sydney/Melbourne (from £610).

All fares, according to Etihad Airways, are based on return travel from London’s Heathrow Airport, with taxes and other charges included.

Flights have to be booked between August 6 and August 20, 2009, to take advantage of the reduced fares.

For booking flights and for more information, prospective customers may visit Etihad Airways’ website www.etihadairways.com or call 0800 731 9384.

Etihad Airways operates 3 daily services from London’s Heathrow Airport to Abu Dhabi, where the carrier connects to over 55 destinations.