Etihad Airways to expand services to India

Kochi, July 12 (UNI) Etihad Airways, the national airlines of the UAE, is planning to expand its services to India in the near future.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Airways Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said the airlines would operate daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Thiruvanathapuram, and Abu Dhabi and Kochi by October.

He said currently the airlines had three flights-per-week on Abu Dhabi -- Thiruvananthapuram sector and four on Abu Dhabi -- Kochi sector, which were launched in May and June respectively.

Mr Hogan said the airlines in association with the Kerala government had also chalked a package to bring medical tourists to the state.

Besides, the airlines was planning to start services to Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad in one year, he said.

''Presently, Etihad flies to four Indian destinations -- New Delhi, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi, and ideally we like to double this in the next few years in order to satisfy the huge demand from Indian customers,'' Mr Hogan said.

He said the airlines had also increased the frequency on its Abu Dhabi to New Delhi route from the three flights-per-week schedule to a daily service from May 31 taking the total number of Etihad flights to India each week from 10 to 21.

''India is now the second fastest growing economy in the world and the demand for frequent travel to and from Middle East will continue to increase for the forseeable future,'' he noted.

Apart from passenger service, Etihad Airways, launched in August 2006, operates Etihad holidays, which provides a range of innovative world-wide holiday options, cargo division and Etihad Crystal Cargo.

UNI