Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has announced that from 15 January 2007 it will operate a six flights-per-week service to the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.
According to executives at the Abu Dhabi-based airline, strength of demand for the new route indicates that it will have a significant impact in both the corporate and leisure sectors in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East.
“This non-stop service between the UAE and Malaysian capitals is set to be one of our most popular, with a high volume of traffic direct from the Middle East, and also from European Guests looking to travel via Abu Dhabi to Malaysia on business or vacation,” said James Hogan, CEO, Etihad Airways.
Kuala Lumpur is a highly popular destination for UAE and other Middle Eastern nationals due to the flexible visa requirements, and the advanced medical facilities and treatments which are available.
“Malaysia and the UAE enjoy an array of cultural ties in addition to vibrant economies. We fully expect business executives and leisure travellers, based in both countries, to fly frequently with Etihad on this new service, further enhancing trade links,” added Hogan.
According to the latest Government figures, Malaysia is importing an increasing number of goods from the UAE, with the total trade between the two countries reaching US $606 million for the last two years.
Kuala Lumpur is one of Asia’s most advanced cities combining gleaming skyscrapers and state-of-the-art shopping malls, with local colour from British colonial buildings, a vibrant Chinatown with street vendors and night markets, and a bustling Little India.
It will be Etihad’s fourth destination in the Far East, following the enormously successful double-daily service to Bangkok, and also the non-stop operations to Jakarta and Manila.
Etihad will operate one of its three-zone Airbus A340-300 aircraft between Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur, which is configured to carry 10 Guests in Diamond zone, 30 Guests in Pearl zone and 225 in Coral zone.
The service, which will launch on 15 January, will operate every day of the week except Saturday.
Outbound EY 405 will depart Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) at 02:40, arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) at 14:15.
The return flight EY 406 will depart Kuala Lumpur at 15:00, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 18:15.
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, is the world’s leading new airline and currently offers flights for Guests and cargo to 47 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.
Etihad Crystal Cargo – www.crystalcargo.ae – offers a comprehensive range of cargo services throughout Etihad’s network, and services its many all-cargo destinations and world-wide charters with a fleet of modern regional freighter aircraft.
Etihad Holidays - www.etihadholidays.com - offers a range of innovative holiday options in 82 destinations including skiing, fly-drives, cruises, tours, stopovers, inbound programmes and city breaks.
Through these exciting divisions, Etihad Airways is changing the way people see the world.
Etihad Airways has been awarded the titles of the world’s leading new airline in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and the world’s leading flat-bed seat in 2006 by the World Travel Awards.
For more information about this award-winning aviation group, please visit www.etihadairways.com.
