Etihad Airways to start direct south India flights

Services to Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai planned

BY A CORRESPONDENT
February 20, 2006

The national airline of the UAE, Etihad Airways will start direct services from Abu Dhabi to south Indian destinations - Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai soon, Business Standard reported.

"We are in talks with the Indian government for securing flying rights”, Charles Phelps-Penry, regional general manager (Asia Pacific), Etihad Airways was quoted as saying in the Indian financial newspaper.

There are also plans to enhance the existing flight schedule of Ethhad airlines in India. Now, the Airways is operating 10 flights from India to Abu Dhabi - 7 flights from Mumbai and 3 from Delhi each week.

The flights from Mumbai will be doubled and daily service to Delhi will be launched. The airline is also in the process of finalising a new tourism initiative to attract Indian travelers to Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Airlines has teamed up with almost all Indian carriers such as Air-India, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines and Air Sahara for interlining arrangements.