Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2014-6-19 — /Travel PR News/ — The launch of direct non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi and Zurich by Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will bring greater choice for travellers and strengthen Switzerland as a European air transport hub.
The new service launched on 1 June 2014, builds on Etihad Airways’ daily flights between Geneva and Abu Dhabi launched in June 2004.
Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan, said: “This year we celebrate ten years of operation in Switzerland, which continues to be an increasingly important travel market for Etihad Airways and a significant trading partner with the UAE.
“Our new Zurich daily service means Swiss business and leisure travellers have greater access to the UAE and important markets in the Gulf region, Middle East, Africa, Indian Sub Continent, Asia and Australia.
“Etihad Airways’ presence in Switzerland contributes to a resilient aviation sector in Switzerland, bringing the benefits of competition and convenience to travellers,” Mr Hogan said.
Both Zurich and Geneva services are operated by an Airbus A330-300 aircraft with a total of 231 seats in a three class cabin configuration: Eight First Class, 32 Business Class and 191 Economy Class.
From Zurich, Etihad Airways now provides travellers with 25 international connections to the Gulf region, Indian Sub Continent, Africa, Asia and Australia via its hub in Abu Dhabi.
In conjunction with our global network partners Air Seychelles, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia, Etihad Airways is now able to provide connectivity from Zurich and Geneva to 44 destinations beyond its hub in Abu Dhabi.
Flying into Zurich and Geneva, Etihad Airways now provides seamless onward European connections to 22 destinations on Etihad Regional’s network, including domestic services between Zurich and Geneva, and Geneva and Lugano.
Travellers can also connect on airberlin and Niki’s regional network via Zurich to Berlin, Dűsseldorf, Olbia, Palma de Mallorca and Vienna. Air Serbia provides a convenient daily connection from Zurich to Belgrade.
“The greater choice for travellers is further evidence of the value and strength of our network partnership strategy, which enables us to work with partner airlines to offer more flights to more destinations, with more connections,” Mr Hogan said.
Etihad Guest loyalty members flying with its partner airlines, Etihad Regional, airberlin, Niki and Air Serbia across Europe, can earn and spend Etihad Guest Miles on flights as well as enjoy recognition benefits such as status miles, lounge access, excess baggage and priority check-in.
While passenger traffic between Switzerland and the UAE has nearly doubled in the past five years, cargo volume is similarly increasing as a result of growing trade between the two countries. In 2013, Etihad Cargo carried more than 6,700 tonnes of goods to and from Switzerland, up 21 per cent on 2012.
The new Zurich-Abu Dhabi services will offer cargo customers 260 tonnes of weekly bellyhold volume to meet the increasing demand for freight capacity. In total, Etihad Airways will offer just over 510 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity to and from Switzerland.
Zurich flight schedule
| Flight number | Origin | Departure | Destination | Arrival | Aircraft |
| EY073 | Abu Dhabi | 02:05 | Zürich | 06:50 | A330-300 |
| EY074 | Zürich | 11:55 | Abu Dhabi | 20:15 | A330-300 |
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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 103 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 100 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 220 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 its equity investment in Swiss-based Etihad Regional*. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com
For more information contact:
Etihad Airways Corporate Communications
Email: djames@etihad.ae
Tel: +971 50 818 9596
*Operated by Darwin Airline