Etihad Airways launches maiden flight to Sana’a

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, today launched its inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi to Sana’a, Yemen’s political and commercial capital.

A high level Yemeni delegation, including His Excellency WaedBathibthe Minister of Transport, the Minister of Tourism,His Excellency Dr. QasimSallam Said, representatives from Civil Aviation,the Ministry of Education, security officials and senior airport officials receivedthe maiden flight upon its arrival atRehaba International Airport in Sana’a.Khaled El Mehairbi, Etihad Airways’ Senior Vice President Government and Aeropolitical Affairs, led the airline’s delegation which included Hassan Al Hammadi, Senior Vice President Executive Affairs and Corporate Security, and Ali Murtada – Vice President Sales for the  Middle East, Levant and Africa.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “The ancestral, cultural and business ties between these two countries are significant, and we celebrate this new link between these two capitals. The launch of direct services to Sana’a is consistent with our strategy of adding depth and scale to our network and targeting areas of growth in emerging markets. I am confident this new service will further facilitate Yemen’s economic development and encourage trade and investment in the capital.”

The launch was celebrated with a reception followed by a banquet attended by the UAE Red Crescent bureau based in Yemen, members of the travel trade, and a media delegation from the UAE.

Marking the launch of services, Etihad Airways also will visit Al Khair Public School and Um Habiba School in the city, where staff and volunteersare due to distribute 1,000 bags filled with stationery and school supplies to students. The effort isarranged in collaboration with the UAE Red Crescent.

More than 90,000 Yemeni nationals live in the UAE and the country is Yemen’s largest regional trading partner, with annual trade valued at over US$2 billion, including US$1.6 billion in UAE exports.*  Overall, the UAE accounts for almost 20 per cent of Yemen’s total imports.**

Sana’a is Etihad Airways’ latest destination on the Arabian Peninsula, joining Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait, Muscat and Riyadh. The airline now serves the Yemeni capital four times a week from Abu Dhabi with an Airbus A320 aircraftequipped with 16 Pearl Business Class seats and 120 seats in Coral Economy Class.

“The timing of the new service offers air travellers convenient onward connections via Abu Dhabito a significant number of other key destinations across the airline’s global network, particularly across the GCC, the Middle East, Australia, and key Europeanand North American destinations,” Mr Hogan said.