Etihad Airways added Hong Kong to its global network through a new codeshare with equity alliance partner, Air Seychelles.
The inaugural Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong flight, operated by Air Seychelles’ Airbus A330-200 aircraft, marked the commencement of three weekly services between the two points. The Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong sector is the second leg of Air Seychelles’ new service from the island nation to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s fourth destination in Greater China – joining Beijing, Chengduand Shanghai. It is a strategically important new gateway for business and leisure travel between Asia and the UAE, GCC, Africa and island nations in the Indian Ocean. Travelers from Hong Kong can now connect seamlessly in Abu Dhabi to 12 destinations in Europe, three destinations in Africa, six in the GCC, and three destinations in the Middle East.
Etihad Cargo currently operates four weekly freighter flights from its hub in Abu Dhabi International Airport to Hong Kong.
Etihad Airways acquired a 40% stake in Air Seychelles in 2012 and signed a five-year management contract to provide strategic support and management expertise in reshaping the airline as a sustainable commercial entity.
Earlier in March, just 12 months after joining the equity alliance, Air Seychelles reported a net profit of USD 1 million for the 2012 financial year. The profit announcement followed three previous years of significant losses.
The Air Seychelles Airbus A330-200 which operates the codeshare service to Hong Kong has a two-class configuration with 18 seats in business class and 236 in economy.
Source: Etihad Airways