TAIPEI, Dec. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will commence codeshare services to Hong Kong on March 24, 2013.
The three return services per week, operated by Etihad Airways' equity and codeshare partner, Air Seychelles, are available for sale now.
Hong Kong is Etihad Airways' fourth destination in Greater China joining Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai in the airline's expanding China network.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, said Hong Kong was an exciting and significant addition to the Etihad Airways network.
"The new service will connect Abu Dhabi, the capital and financial centre of the UAE, with Hong Kong, one of the most dynamic financial and commercial hubs in North Asia.
"It will create new business opportunities for trading partners in both the UAE and Hong Kong and provide additional seat capacity and convenience for travellers between the two ends of the route and beyond.
"This is also an important move for our partner, Air Seychelles, as the connection of the Seychelles and Asia will support the vital tourism industry on the archipelago."
The flight schedule will provide convenient connectivity from Hong Kong over Etihad Airways' hub in Abu Dhabi, to key destinations across the GCC, and to European destinations including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Ireland.
Etihad Cargo, a division of Etihad Airways, operates a three times a week service from its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport to Hong Kong.
Air Seychelles will operate an A330-200 aircraft in a two-class configuration on the sector, offering 18 Pearl Business class and 236 Economy class seats.
Abu Dhabi - Hong Kong schedule:
| Flight | Departs | Departure Time |
Arrives | Arrival Time | Frequency |
| EY4122 (HM86) |
Abu Dhabi (AUH) | 21:40 | Hong Kong (HKG) | 09:40 +1 | Three per week: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday |
| EY4121 (HM87) |
Hong Kong (HKG) | 18.55 | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | 23:25 | Three per week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday |
All times shown are local.
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 the Americas, with a fleet of 68 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and over 90 aircraft on firm 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. 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.
