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Etihad Airways launched flights to Maldives and the Seychelles on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Two Indian Ocean destinations are highly popular among vacationers as exotic holiday spots.
Etihad Airways has launched flights to two very exotic Indian Ocean island destinations – the Maldives and the Seychelles – making them 67th and 68th destinations on Etihad’s global network, respectively.
The airline hopes the flights will be popular among holiday makers from the UAE and those travelling from Europe with a stopover in Abu Dhabi.
Both Maldives and the Seychelles are top holiday destinations that appeal highly to Europeans, especially Britons. Though both these charming vacation spots are not exactly known to be budget destinations, tourists may now be able to net cheap flight tickets with Etihad expanding the alternatives for the vacationers.
Etihad Flight to Maldives
Abu Dhabi flag carrier’s maiden flight to Male landed at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (Male International Airport) on Tuesday at around 2:15 pm. The flight was greeted with a water cannon salute, bodu-beru dancers, coconuts and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Passengers who disembarked from Etihad flight EY278 to Maldives’ capital city were pleasantly surprised by the revelries. Halid Al Marhedi, Etihad’s Executive Vice President, was invited to cut a golden ribbon with GMR CEO Andrew Harrison and Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation Managing Director, Simon Hawkins.
The airline will operate a daily return service from Abu Dhabi to Male International Airport. Etihad will ply Airbus A320 aircraft on the route, with two class configuration and more than 1,900 seats each week across both travel classes allowing a number of chances for those looking for cheap flight tickets with the airline.
“This is a very exciting day for Etihad Airways and we are thrilled to add another new destination, particularly one that is so important to the leisure traveller,” said Etihad Airways’ CEO James Hogan said.
“We expect the services will appeal to UAE leisure travellers, as well as customers from our major European markets, particularly with the strong connectivity options on offer and following the additional frequencies that will come online on a number of our key European routes this summer,” he was quoted.
“Etihad’s schedule, which offers an attractive afternoon arrival and evening departure, has been carefully designed to offer customers maximum leisure time at their destination. In fact, European travellers can take advantage of our overnight flights in both directions, offering them a full extra day in the Maldives.”
Etihad will depart from Abu Dhabi International Airport at 9:20am and will arrive at Male at 2:30pm. The return flight will take off from Male at 8:35pm and will arrive in Abu Dhabi at 12:05 am.
Etihad Flight to Seychelles
Etihad Airways’ flight landed in Seychelles on Wednesday to start off its operations to the top holiday destination. The carrier will run four return services per week from Abu Dhabi to Seychelles International Airport in Mahe.
Etihad’s first flight was welcomed with the traditional water cannon as it landed at the Seychelles International Airport yesterday.
Airbus A320 aircraft will be plied on the route with two travel classes – Pearl Business and Coral Economy – and offering over 1,000 seats each week.
Etihad’s CEO James Hogan said: “The Seychelles has strong and growing appeal as a premium leisure destination, with increasing numbers of GCC residents and European travellers holidaying there.
“With the recent honeymoon of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Seychelles is likely to gain new interest as a destination of choice,” he added.