Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), currently offers three flights weekly from Toronto to the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi. Etihad operates out of Terminal 1 at Pearson International Airport in Toronto.
James Hogan, CEO of Etihad Airways, wants to expand Etihad (EY) Toronto to Abu Dhabi flights to daily service and add flights from other cities in Canada.
Non-stop Etihad flights on A340-600 planes depart Toronto Pearson International Airport on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and arrive in Abu Dhabi early the following morning. Flight time is 14 hours.
Abu Dhabi airport is located 40 minutes driving distance from Abu Dhabi and 55 minutes from Dubai.
Fleet
James Hogan attributes the rapid growth of Etihad to its excellent service. “Arabian culture is all about hospitality, service and welcomes,” he says. After only five years in business and three years of flying to Canada, Etihad has 38 aircraft, which will increase to 42 by the end of the year.
Etihad Airways has ordered 100 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with options for 100 more to meet its goal of serving 20 million passengers by 2012 and 25 million passengers by 2020.
Etihad destinations
Flights on Etihad Airways currently go to 48 cities in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. Routes to and from Abu Dhabi include New York, London, Dublin, Paris, Brussels, Munich, Milan, Geneva, Cairo, Johannesburg, Damascus, Doha, Muscat, Delhi, Kathmandu, Beijing, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Manila and Sydney, Australia.
By the end of the year, Etihad plans to fly to 50 cities, with a goal of doubling them to 100. In 2009, Etihad will add flights from Abu Dhabi, UAE, to Moscow, Minsk and Almaty, Kazakhstan; Melbourne, Australia; Nigeria and other cities.
Abu Dhabi
James Hogan says that the fast growth of Etihad Airways coincides with the rapid development of the economy and tourism in Abu Dhabi, the largest and most populated emirate: “Abu Dhabi is going to be the key city of the Arabian Gulf.”
Abu Dhabi will host the Formula One Grand Prix car race in October 2009. More than 75 hotels in Abu Dhabi are being built, as well as a Guggenheim museum and the only Louvre Museum outside Paris, France. Ferrari World, a new theme park, will feature simulators, rollercoasters and a racetrack.
Visitors can book hotels and tours through Etihad Holidays, a subsidiary of Etihad Airways.
Limo service
Terminal 3 at Abu Dhabi International Airport has opened. By 2012, a new airport terminal will serve 20 million passengers annually.
Etihad Airways offers free limousine service to Diamond First Class and Pearl Business Class passengers within a 50-kilometer radius of Toronto. Passengers flying Etihad to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) receive complimentary chauffeur service to anywhere in the United Arab Emirates.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Etihad Airways: www.etihadairways.com