HONG KONG, Oct. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will commence codeshare services to Hong Kong in February 2013 in partnership with Air Seychelles, subject to regulatory approval.
The three weekly return services between Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong will be operated by the airline's equity and codeshare partner, Air Seychelles. The new codeshare expands Etihad Airways' network in Greater China, following the launch of services to Beijing in March 2008, to Chengdu in December 2011, and Shanghai in March this year.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "Hong Kong's fast growing economy and booming middle class have brought a remarkable increase in the number of travellers in recent years.
"The new service connects two of the world's leading international financial and tourism centres, a move we believe will stimulate the growth of commerce and trade between the UAE and China, the UAE's second largest trading partner."
Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles' Chief Executive Officer, said: "We see Hong Kong as a significant driver for future tourism growth in the Seychelles, so we are positioning Air Seychelles to seize the opportunity and support this vital market."
The flight schedule will provide leisure and business passengers from Hong Kong with seamless connectivity through Etihad Airways' hub in Abu Dhabi, to key destinations across the GCC and to key destinations in Europe including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Ireland.
The schedule also allows two-way connectivity between Hong Kong and the Seychelles, supporting a booming tourism industry on the archipelago.
The Seychelles is a visa-free destination, meaning all visitors can receive visas on arrival. Seychellois citizens are also not required to have visas for travel to Hong Kong.
"With our 40 per cent equity stake in Air Seychelles, it makes strong commercial sense for us to work together on opportunities where cooperation is possible. The resulting synergies bring about significant efficiency benefits for both Etihad Airways and Air Seychelles," Mr Hogan added.
Air Seychelles will operate an A330-200 aircraft in a two-class configuration on the route, with 18 Pearl Business class and 236 Coral Economy class seats.
Etihad Cargo, a division of Etihad Airways, currently operates a three times weekly service from its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport to Hong Kong.
Abu Dhabi - Hong Kong schedule: (all times local)
| Flight | Departs | Departure Time |
Arrives | Arrival Time | Frequency | Duration |
| EY4122 (HM86) |
Abu Dhabi (AUH) | 21:20 | Hong Kong (HKG) | 08:40 +1 | Three per week: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday | 7.3hrs |
| EY4121 (HM87) |
Hong Kong (HKG) | 18.00 | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | 23:30 | Three per week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 9.5hrs |
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, began operations in 2003, and in 2011 carried 8.3 million passengers. From its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad Airways serves 86 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, with a fleet of 67 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and 100 aircraft on order, including 10 Airbus A380s, the world's largest passenger aircraft. Etihad Airways also holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia and Aer Lingus. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com.
About Air Seychelles
Air Seychelles was established in 1978 and began long-haul service in 1983. The airline currently offers international flights to Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg and Mauritius, operated by its new A330-200 aircraft. Air Seychelles also offers more than 160 domestic scheduled flights a week throughout the archipelago, as well as domestic charter services. As the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, Air Seychelles is a pillar of tourism, the island nation's strongest and growing economic sector. The airline maintains a strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates and 40 per cent stakeholder. For more information, please visit: www.airseychelles.com.
