ADAC gears up for the New Direct Abu Dhabi-Rome Flights

Partnership between Etihad Airways and Alitalia to enhance connectivity to Europe, Middle East, South Africa and Australia

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2012-10-1 — /travelprnews.com/ — Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) announced today during the 18th World Route Development Forum in Abu Dhabi that it is finalizing its preparations to welcome Alitalia, the national airline of Italy, with its direct flights between ADAC’s Abu Dhabi International Airport and Rome International Airport on 1st December. Alitalia will operate four flights a week through a codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, on an A330 aircraft with a seating capacity of 230 passengers.

This route will provide travelers from Abu Dhabi International Airport with Rome as a new destination, as well as further connecting flights from Rome to Venice and Zurich, Switzerland.  Currently, Etihad Airways and Alitalia codeshare on five other routes within Italy, and various detonations in the Middle East, South Africa, Thailand and Australia.

Ahmad Al Haddabi, Chief Operating Officer at ADAC, commented:
“ADAC is looking forward to welcoming this new partnership between Alitalia and Etihad Airways as a new airline will be joining ADAC’s airport family while adding another destination in the airport’s network.  Furthermore it demonstrates the attractiveness Abu Dhabi enjoys as a destination as well as a key connecting hub for the region.

The last 12 months (Sept 2011- August 2012) registered 151,459 passengers traveling between Abu Dhabi and Italy to record a 52.5% increase in passenger traffic compared to the period between Sept 2010 and August 2011. The new direct routes between Abu Dhabi and Rome will not only strengthen this growth but further deliver to the growing needs for passengers looking to explore Europe, and for global travelers wanting to visit the world-class city of Abu Dhabi.”

Flights from Abu Dhabi will depart at 8:15 on Thursday and Sunday mornings, and at 2:25 on Mondays and Wednesdays mornings.  Flights from Rome will depart at 21:45 on Wednesday and Saturday evenings and at 11:15 on Tuesdays and Sundays mornings.  This schedule will maximize the connection opportunities for passengers at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad Airline’s hub, and with Alitalia’s domestic and European services originating from Rome International Airport.

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