ETIHAD AIRWAYS IMPROVES TIMINGS ON ABU DHABI – MEDINA ROUTE

• Three additional weekly flights will also be introduced during peak winter period

Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Etihad Airways is re-timing its daily Abu Dhabi – Medina flights to a daytime operation and will also introduce three additional weekly services during the peak winter period.

Effective 1 February 2018, the current overnight departure from Abu Dhabi will be replaced by a mid-morning flight offering an attractive schedule for travellers flying between the UAE’s capital city and Medina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The new daytime schedule will also improve connectivity to a number of destinations served by Etihad Airways across the Indian Subcontinent such as Colombo, Delhi, Islamabad, Karachi and Mumbai. There will also be new two-way connections to key North Asian markets, including Beijing, Seoul and Shanghai.

 Ahead of the scheduling change, the airline will also increase frequency from 7 to 10 flights a week for two months between December 1 and 31 January 2018 to cater for demand during the peak Umrah travel period. The additional capacity will be operated with a two-class Airbus A320 featuring 16 seats in Business Class and 120 in Economy.

Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad Airways Executive Vice President Commercial, said: “The re-timing of our Medina flights to a daytime operation and introduction of additional services strengthens our business proposition and commitment to the Saudi Arabian market.

“The changes will greatly benefit our guests travelling between Abu Dhabi and Medina, and offer improved connectivity across the Indian Subcontinent and Asia.”

Saudi businesses will also be able to take advantage of the additional capacity. Etihad Cargo carries popular Saudi exports from Medina – predominantly dates and holy water – to more than 100 destinations around its network.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline currently operates 77 flights a week between the UAE’s capital city and four destinations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Medina.

Flight schedule: Abu Dhabi – Medina, effective 1 February 2018:

Flight No.	Origin	Departs	Destination	Arrives	Frequency	Aircraft
EY345	Abu Dhabi	09:30	Medina	11:20	Daily	A320
EY346	Medina	16:00	Abu Dhabi	19:25	Daily	A320

 Note: All departures and arrivals are listed in local time.

-Ends-

About Etihad Aviation Group

Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) is a diversified global aviation and travel group comprising five business divisions – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways Engineering, Etihad Airport Services, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners. The group has minority investments in six airlines: airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia.

From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to, or has announced plans to serve, more than 110 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of over 120 Airbus and Boeing aircraft. In 2013, it placed firm orders for 204 aircraft, which included 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. For more information, please visit: etihad.com

For more information, please contact:

Updesh Kapur

Etihad Airways Corporate Communications

Direct: +971 2 511 3276

Mob:   +971 5 6546 1402

Email:  ukapur@etihad.ae