Business & Money | Tuesday 31 March, 2015 9:34 am |

• Italian national carrier operates the first direct connection between Venice, one of Europe’s leading tourist destinations, and the capital of the United Arab Emirates
• New daily flights between Milan and Abu Dhabi were launched on the same day, complementing Etihad Airways’ own daily service between the two cities
• Etihad Airways and Alitalia operate combined double-daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Milan and Rome, and daily to Venice, offering extensive connections into and out of Italy

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, joined celebrations at Abu Dhabi International Airport yesterday to welcome the arrival of its equity and codeshare partner Alitalia’s inaugural flights from Venice and Milan to the UAE capital.

A traditional water cannon salute was arranged to mark the occasion, with Alitalia’s CEO Silvano Cassano and Chief Customer Officer Aubrey Tiedt travelling onboard the inaugural flight from Venice, along with Enrico Marchi, Chairman of the SAVE Group – Venice Airport.

The senior delegation was greeted on arrival by Bruno Matheu, Etihad Airways Chief Operating Officer Equity Partners, and officials from Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC).

Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “Network development has been placed at the heart of Alitalia’s ambitious development strategy and we are delighted to codeshare on both of these new routes, which are the first to be launched by Alitalia since Etihad Airways acquired a 49 per cent stake in the airline.

“The service between Milan and Abu Dhabi combines with our own daily flights between the two cities to provide a convenient double-daily frequency, while the Venice flights not only support inbound tourism, but are also an important new link to serve people in Northern Italy.

“Together, Etihad Airways and Alitalia now offer combined double-daily flights to Milan and Rome, and a daily service to Venice. This is great news for our respective countries, as strong air transport links act as a catalyst for economic growth. It is also great news for travellers, not only between Italy and the UAE, but beyond. Abu Dhabi is a natural hub with a strategic location that connects Italy with destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent, Asia and Australia through the fast-growing Etihad Airways network.”

Alitalia’s daily Venice – Abu Dhabi service is operated using an Airbus A330 aircraft with 20 business class seats, 17 economy plus seats and 213 economy class seats. The airline’s daily Milan – Abu Dhabi service is operated using a Boeing 777 aircraft with 30 business class seats, 24 economy plus seats and 239 economy class seats.

PHOTO CAPTION (R-L): Alitalia and Etihad Airways cabin crew are joined at Abu Dhabi Airport by Silvano Cassano (Alitalia CEO), Bruno Matheu (Etihad Airways Chief Operating Officer Equity Partners), Aubrey Tiedt (Alitalia Chief Customer Officer), Giorgio Ricci (Alitalia Station Manager Abu Dhabi) and Enrico Marchi (Chairman of SAVE Group – Venice Airport).

Etihad Airways codeshares on the following flights launched by Alitalia yesterday:
Route Flight No. Departure Arrival Aircraft Frequency
Milan (MXP) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) AZ856 / EY2871 22:10 06:15 + 1 Boeing 777 Daily
Abu Dhabi (AUH) - Milan (MXP) AZ857 / EY2870 08:45 13:25 Boeing 777 Daily
Venice (VCE) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) AZ858 / EY2879 21:55 05:55 + 1 Airbus A330 Daily
Abu Dhabi (AUH) - Venice (VCE) AZ859 / EY2878 09:05 13:35 Airbus A330 Daily

Note: All departures and arrivals are listed in local time


About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2014 carried 14.8 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to 111 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 111 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 70 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and nine Airbus A380s.

Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia, and is in the process of formalising an equity investment in Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline. Etihad Airways, along with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand that brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com