Etihad to launch 3 new Pakistani routes

[pkjet]

Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways is all set to launch four new routes to Pakistan this month. On February 13, it will start flying to three new destinations — Islamabad and Peshawar in Pakistan. On February 20, it will add Lahore to its growing network.

Etihad already flies to Karachi and, with these new routes, Pakistan will become one of the busiest countries on the airline’s network, with a total of four destinations. Check flight schedules.

“This significant expansion of Etihad’s Asian service to Pakistan and the Philippines demonstrates the airline’s commitment to providing frequent and flexible travel between the world’s most significant cultural and commercial destinations. Etihad is now establishing itself as one of the leading airlines catering to the global Asian community,” says Geert Boven, VP-Commercial, Etihad Airways.

“As well as carrying nationals and travellers from the UAE, the new routes will also continue to build on Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a major world destination for business and leisure,” he adds.

The announcement of new routes comes soon after Etihad unveiled its Boeing 777–300ER aircraft, the first of 29 aircraft (Boeing and Airbus) scheduled to join its fleet before Spring 2008.

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http://etihadairways.com/Presentation/w ... newsid=102

[behramjee]

I have examined the EY new fares and schedules from YYZ to ISB, LHE and PEW (both ways) and it can be safely said that whomever is in the route network planning department of EY in AUH is not bothered with 6th freedom traffic that can be generated from YYZ to these 3 Pakistani cities especially to LHE which is good for GF and EYs other competitors out of YYZ.

The reasons for this are :

1. EYs flights to LHE and PEW number twice a week only and ISB 5 times a week (twice a day on Monday!!!).

2. None of EYs flights to LHE, ISB and PEW connect on the outbound sector i.e. YYZ-AUH-LHE / ISB / PEW as it involves a 22 hour transit at AUH and on some days its over 36 hours !!!

3. EY are flying to ISB 2 weekly A 343s + 3 weekly A 332s, PEW 2 weekly A 332s and 2 weekly B 763s to LHE.

4. EYs flights ex YYZ to ISB connect only once a week that too with a 3 hour transit in AUH.

5. On the inbound sector i.e. PAK-AUH-YYZ, ISB originating pax have a 7 hour transit at AUH however only twice a week i.e Mon and Wed where as LHE-AUH-YYZ & PEW-AUH-YYZ is only available once a week each respectively on Mon involving a 7 hour transit at AUH.

6. EYs flights to ISB-LHE-PEW are perfectly timed to connect mainly with their LGW, MAN and LHR bound flights which just goes to show you what target market they have in mind to fill these new flights of theirs.

[pkjet]

I find it starnge that Manchester is not even featured in the schedules section of their homepage !!!

QR already offer hideous connection times from UK-Pakistan and I thought that EY would make that difference, just like Emirates and Gulf Air who have brilliant connections UK-AUH/BAH/MCT-PAK....how wrong !

[PK777]

Etihad Airways will inaugurate nonstop service from Abu Dhabi to Islamabad (Pakistan) service on Monday, Feb 13th. The airline will operate 5 flights a week, on Mon/Thu/Sun with an A330-200 and on Mon/Wed with an A340-300.

Etihad Airways will inaugurate nonstop service from Abu Dhabi to Peshawar (Pakistan) service on Monday, Feb 13th. The airline will operate 2 flights a week, on Mon/Thu with an A330-200.

Etihad Airways will inaugurate nonstop service from Abu Dhabi to Lahore (Pakistan) service on Feb 20th. The airline will operate 2 flights a week, on Mon/Tue with an B767-300.

[Abbas Ali]

Etihad Airways advertisement in today’s (February 19, 2006) newspaper.


Website: www.etihadairways.com