Etihad Airways Commences Abu Dhabi - Hong Kong Codeshare with Air Seychelles

Etihad Airways has added Hong Kong to its global network through a new codeshare with equity alliance partner, Air Seychelles.

The route is operated by Air Seychelles’ brightly coloured Airbus A330-200 aircraft, three times per week. The Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong sector is the second leg of Air Seychelles’ new service from the island nation to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s fourth destination in Greater China – joining Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai. It is a strategically important new gateway for business and leisure travel between Asia and the UAE, GCC, Africa and island nations in the Indian Ocean. Travellers from Hong Kong can now connect seamlessly in Abu Dhabi to 12 destinations in Europe, three destinations in Africa, six in the GCC, and three destinations in the Middle East.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said “The codeshare with Air Seychelles allows Etihad Airways to commence services to Hong Kong and extend its reach into Greater China sooner than would have been possible independently. It gives Etihad Airways immediate and direct access to rich, new sources of passenger and cargo revenue in Hong Kong and major outbound travel markets in southern China such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen ... At the same time, Etihad Airways’ contribution to selling seats and cargo on the new route helps Air Seychelles maximise its return on capital as it works with key stakeholders such as Seychelles Tourism Board and partner airlines to accelerate tourism growth from Hong Kong, southern China and other markets in the region.”

Etihad Cargo, a division of Etihad Airways, currently operates four weekly freighter flights from its hub in Abu Dhabi International Airport to Hong Kong.

Etihad Airways acquired a 40% stake in Air Seychelles in 2012 and signed a five-year management contract to provide strategic support and management expertise in reshaping the airline as a sustainable commercial entity.

Earlier this month, just 12 months after joining the equity alliance, Air Seychelles reported a net profit of US$1 million for the 2012 financial year. The profit announcement followed three previous years of significant losses.

Etihad Airways, Air Seychelles, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong