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
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