Etihad to Increase Seats and Flights to India

Etihad Airways is to greatly increase options for travel to and from India, introducing more flights and wide-bodied jets by the end of this year, and further increases and new routes next year, subject to regulatory approval. From 1^st November 2013, Etihad plans to more than triple the number of seats it offers on the Abu Dhabi – Mumbai and Abu Dhabi – New Delhi routes. 

Irish passengers can benefit from Etihad’s 14 flights per week between Dublin – New Delhi and Dublin – Mumbai. Fares to New Delhi including taxes are from €717 in Coral Economy class and €2,400 in Pearl Business class. Fares to Mumbai including taxes are from €632 in Coral Economy class and €2,375 in Pearl Business class.

James Hogan, President and Chief Executive, said: “India is one of the world’s fastest-growing destinations, and a key market in the growth strategy of Etihad Airways. Following the recent signing of a new air services agreement between India and the UAE, we now have the opportunity to add significant capacity between the two countries, not only meeting existing demand for trade and tourist travel but also ensuring that we can meet the continued strong growth that is expected between our two countries. The big winners will be our passengers and freight customers and the economies of India and Abu Dhabi.”

By 31^st December 2013, Etihad plans to:

• Increase from daily to double-daily its Abu Dhabi-Mumbai and Abu Dhabi-New Delhi flights
• Use wide-bodied A340-600 aircraft on one of the daily Abu Dhabi – Mumbai flights, offering First, Business and Economy Classes
• Use wide-bodied A330-200 aircraft on one of the daily Abu Dhabi – New Delhi flights, offering Business and Economy Class
• Upgrade daily Abu Dhabi – Chennai flights from 136-seat A320s to new A321s, seating 174 passengers.

Subject to regulatory approval, Etihad also intends to codeshare on a wide range of flights operated within India by Jet Airways. Specific details of new routes between Abu Dhabi and India and codeshare services with Jet Airways will be announced progressively, as approvals are received and operational details are finalised.