Etihad has unveiled plans to introduce 10 new destinations next year, strengthening its connectivity between Abu Dhabi and key cities across the Asia Pacific region. The new routes, set to commence from July 2025, include Atlanta, Taipei, Medan, Phnom Penh, Krabi, Tunis, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Hanoi, and Algiers. These additions were strategically chosen due to the increasing number of tourists and residents from these countries in the UAE and the broader region, positioning Etihad as the sole non-stop airline for these destinations.
"For many of these cities, our flights will be the only non-stop service from the UAE. For instance, if you wish to travel to Medan in North Sumatra, there will be no other direct flights from Abu Dhabi," explained Arik De, Etihad's Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer. The airline has optimized several routes to enhance connectivity with Europe. "If you're traveling from Hanoi to Paris, Etihad offers the fastest connectivity compared to any other airline in the region. We've placed significant emphasis on our route network from Asia," he added.
Additionally, the introduction of flights to Tunis and Algiers will greatly benefit the tens of thousands of residents from these countries. "We are thrilled about the new routes to Tunis and Algiers. In Abu Dhabi alone, there are over 25,000 Algerians and around 47,000 Tunisians, who previously relied on Qatar Airways for their trips home. Now, they have a quicker option," said De. Three weekly flights to Tunis will commence on November 1, followed by four weekly flights to Algiers on November 7.
Another significant addition is the four weekly flights to Atlanta, starting July 2. "We are fully committed to expanding our presence on the Northern seaboard, and Atlanta is a major American city. No other non-stop flights exist from the UAE, making us pioneers in this market," he noted. Atlanta will be Etihad's fifth direct US destination, joining New York, Washington, Chicago, and Boston.
Etihad anticipates that 2025 will be the most significant year in its history, forecasting a more than twofold increase in passenger numbers from the 10 million carried last year, reaching over 90 destinations compared to 64 in 2022. "We currently operate 95 planes and carry between 18 to 19 million passengers annually. Next year, we plan to expand our fleet to 115 operating planes," stated Antonaldo Neves, Etihad's Chief Executive. "The airline is experiencing unprecedented growth, with profits increasing by 6 percent year on year."
Etihad is also heavily investing in expanding its European routes. "This year, we increased our flying capacity to Europe by 40 percent, and next year, we plan to add around 36 percent more," Neves said. Referring to their route map, he added, "Just over a year and a half ago, we had only one daily flight to Heathrow." Now, the map features two daily flights to most major European cities, including Moscow, Dublin, London, Brussels, Munich, Frankfurt, Paris, Geneva, Zurich, Milan, Rome, Barcelona, Athens, and Madrid. "This growth allows us to unlock our Eastern network even further."
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