Etihad Airways to extend operations to Hyderabad

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will start operation of its flights between Abu Dhabi and Hyderabad four times a week from November 2009. The service will become daily from the start of 2010. The addition of Hyderabad brings the number of Indian destinations served by Etihad to seven.

“Hyderabad is a key Indian destination not currently served directly from Abu Dhabi. It, therefore, represents a great opportunity for our airline,” James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, stated in a press release. 

“This will provide a wider choice for travellers wishing to fly to the United Arab Emirates from our airport,” Sripathy, CEO of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd, said. 

Etihad currently operates 38 flights a week from the UAE to India, with flights from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai, New Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode and Chennai. The airline is also pushing to secure further traffic rights from Abu Dhabi to other India cities, including Bangalore. 

Etihad will operate a two class Airbus A320 on the new Hyderabad route configured to carry 140 passengers with 20 in business class and 120 in economy class.