ABU DHABI, 2014-12-5 — /Travel PR News/ — Etihad Airways and partner airberlin celebrated the launch of the German carrier’s new service from Stuttgart to Abu Dhabi last night, with the inaugural flight receiving a traditional water canon salute on arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The daily service is airberlin’s first long-haul route from Stuttgart, capital of Germany’s Baden-Württemberg state, and also serves as the first direct connection between the thriving economic city and Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is operated using a two-class Airbus A320 aircraft, offering a total of 12 Business Class seats and 132 Economy Class seats.
Etihad Airways has placed its ‘EY’ code on the flights as part of a codeshare agreement with airberlin, and connects the service with a range of business and leisure destinations across its network in the GCC region, Indian Subcontinent, South East Asia and Australia.
Together, airberlin and Etihad Airways now operate 63 flights per week from Germany to Abu Dhabi, flying twice daily from Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich, and daily from Stuttgart.
James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “We congratulate airberlin on its inaugural flight between Stuttgart and Abu Dhabi. This route is part of the airline’s long-term network development and as a codeshare partner on the flights, Etihad Airways will drive traffic on the route, provide onward connections to destinations across our network, and offer even more opportunities for airberlin and Etihad Airways guests to earn Etihad Guest miles.”
Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, Chief Executive Officer of airberlin, said: “The new flights from Stuttgart to Abu Dhabi mark an important milestone for airberlin. The Stuttgart area is one of Germany’s most economically important regions and we see great potential for our service to Abu Dhabi.”
Schedule of airberlin’s Stuttgart – Abu Dhabi service, with Etihad Airways codeshare:
| Route | Flight No. | Departure | Arrival | Aircraft | Frequency |
| Stuttgart (STR) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) | AB7222 / EY1756 | 10:30 | 19:45 | Airbus A320 | Daily |
| Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Stuttgart (STR) | AB7223 / EY1757 | 02:50 | 06:55 | Airbus A320 | Daily |
Note: All departures and arrivals are listed in local time
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About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2013 carried 11.5 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base Etihad Airways flies to 111 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 105 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, Aer Lingus, Air Serbia and Jet Airways, and is in the process of formalising equity investments in Alitalia and Swiss-based Etihad Regional*. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com
*Operated by Darwin Airline
For more information contact:
Robeel Haq, Etihad Airways Corporate Communications
Tel: +971 (0) 2 511 1429 / Email: RHaq@etihad.ae
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airberlin’s inaugural flight from Stuttgart to Abu Dhabi received a traditional water canon salute at Abu Dhabi International Airport last night.