DAA Welcomes Etihad’s Decision to Expand Dublin-Abu Dhabi Service

Etihad Airways is increasing its Dublin – Abu Dhabi service from 10 flights per week, to double daily from 15 July 2014.

The 40% increase in frequency will provide an extra 8,988 seats each week between the capital cities of Ireland and the United Arab Emirates.

Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) Chief Executive Kevin Toland said he was delighted with Etihad’s decision to go double daily on the route. “The partnership between Dublin Airport and Etihad Airways has been hugely successful since the airline launched the Dublin-Abu Dhabi route in 2007,” Mr Toland said. “Dublin has long been one of Etihad Airways’ busiest routes and the airline has steadily expanded capacity on the service over the past six years.”

The 40% jump in frequency “will offer additional choice and convenience to both business and leisure travellers,” Mr Toland added.

The Minister for Transport, Tourism, and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD, said Etihad Airways’ decision to further expand its Dublin route would significantly increase the number of potential visitors to Ireland.

“It’s more great news for tourism and for Irish aviation and represents another significant capacity boost at Dublin Airport this year. Overall, there is a huge increase in airline capacity into Ireland this year which will help us to continue growing visitor numbers.”

Etihad President and Chief Executive James Hogan said that: “From the moment we started flights to Dublin in July 2007 it has been one our most successful routes and we’re delighted that from this July, seven years later, Etihad Airways will offer guests a double daily service to and from Abu Dhabi.”

Etihad Airways will operate the route with a Boeing 777-300 ER, configured to carry 380 passengers with 40 in Pearl Business Class and 340 in Coral Economy Class, and an Airbus A330-200, configured to carry 262 passengers, with 22 in Pearl Business Class and 240 in Coral Economy Class.

The schedule for the double daily flights will ensure connectivity both ways with 800 weekly connections to 45 Etihad Airways destinations in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, including Bangkok, Beijing, Brisbane, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Melbourne, Perth, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.

“The 40% increase in flight frequency will benefit business and leisure travel not only between Ireland and the UAE but also right across the Etihad Airways network, especially countries which have a connection with Ireland like Australia, Thailand and Malaysia,” according to Mr Hogan.

Since launching flights to Dublin in 2007, Etihad Airways has flown nearly 1.2 million passengers on the route which regularly features on the airline’s top 10 most popular destinations. Last year was the busiest year to date, with more than 240,000 passengers flying between Dublin and Abu Dhabi.

The frequency increase by Etihad Airways supports the recent pledge made by Etihad’s Chief Executive James Hogan to the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, to continue to play a key role in enhancing UAE-Irish ties. Mr Kenny visited to Etihad Airways’ headquarters last month and met Irish members of the Etihad Airways workforce.

Etihad Airways’ Dublin flight schedule from July 15, 2014:

Flight    From    To    Aircraft    Seats    Dep    Arr    Frequency
EY45    AUH    DUB    B777-300    380    02.25    07.30    Daily
EY42    DUB    AUH    B777-300    380    09.20    19.40    Daily
EY41    AUH    DUB    A330-200    262    09.15    14.25    Daily
EY48    DUB    AUH    A330-200    262    20.55    07.20*  Daily

(*Next day)