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Etihad Airways launches Frankfurt non-stop flights
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
12 June, 2005: Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has introduced its Frankfurt non-stop service on June 1, 2005, a year after its Abu Dhabi-Munich route in May 2004.
“We are confident that the launch of Etihad's new flight route to Frankfurt will facilitate even more opportunities in investment, tourism and commerce. It also reflects our commitment to place our guests at the core of our development strategy by offering them greater flexibility and facilitating easier access for travel between the two major hubs,” Chairman of Etihad Airways Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saif Al Nahyan said.
Germany is an important strategic market for Etihad, both for both in-bound and outbound tourism. Bilateral trade between UAE and Germany has doubled in the last five years and continues to grow in excess of 10 per cent per annum. In addition, the UAE is becoming increasingly popular as a holiday destination for German leisure tourists.
Meanwhile, the carrier also took delivery of a new aircraft, an Airbus 330-220, marking its planned transition to a new fleet of wide-bodied aircraft.
The new Airbus 330-220 offers 12 luxury sleeper seats in the Diamond Zone that offer a full 180º recline, in addition to a personal space of over three metres. The new Pearl Zone features a virtual flat sleeper seat and Coral Zone travellers will be able to enjoy between 32 and 36 inches of legroom.
The new aircraft is the first Airbus wide-body to feature the 4000i in-flight entertainment system, offering audio and video on demand. An added feature is a mood lighting system that reduces stress levels associated with long-haul air travel.
"This new aircraft gives the world a clear indication of the direction we are taking at Etihad, and underlines our continuous growth and development. Although today's aircraft is not to the final specification, the new features are a clear demonstration of how we have taken our guest feedback seriously since we launched in November 2003," said Etihad Chairman Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saif Al Nahyan.
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