Etihad airways to improve connectivity

Etihad Airways is changing its flight schedule to South Korea, in order to deliver improved connectivity through its Abu Dhabi  hub. The changes will see Etihad Airways move to a same-time-daily flight schedule between Abu Dhabi and Seoul (Incheon). The airline’s current Abu Dhabi-Seoul flight schedule is split; with different departure times on different days of the week. From January 2013, Etihad Airways flight EY876 will depart Abu Dhabi at 22:05 and arrive at Seoul’s Incheon airport at 11:45 the next day. Flight EY873 will depart Seoul (Incheon) at 00:45 and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 06:50 am the same day. ”The schedule changes in early 2013 will boost connectivity over the Abu Dhabi hub and deliver major customer benefits,” said James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer. “Travelers will have more choice, convenience and flexibility – particularly for travel between South Korea and the GCC, Middle East, Africa and Europe, and South America when Sao Paulo comes online in July 2013.” Mr Hogan predicted the new schedule would attract new customer segments that were emerging with closer political and commercial ties between the UAE and South Korea. “With more than 5000 South Korean nationals living and working in the region, and a growing number of Korean and Emirati enterprises – like Korean Electric Power Corporation and Abu Dhabi Ship Building – engaging in major infrastructure and development projects, South Korea is very important to the UAE and to Etihad Airways,” he said. Mr Hogan also highlighted fresh opportunities for growing leisure travel to South Korea from the GCC, the Middle East and Europe. “There is huge potential to work with our partners in the travel and tourism sector network-wide to grow tourism to South Korea, which is a country rich in history and centuries-old cultural traditions.” The January 2013 schedule change will see an upgrade of aircraft type, from a three-class Airbus A330-300 to a larger Airbus A340-500 configured with 12 seats in Diamond First class, 28 seats in Pearl Business class, and 200 seats in Coral Economy class. Etihad Airways commenced daily services to Seoul (Incheon) on 10 December 2010 with an Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The airline currently employs a total of 159 Korean nationals across its global network. This includes 28 Abu Dhabi-based pilots and 109 cabin crew. Etihad Airways also has a codeshare agreement with Asiana Airlines (OZ), the major airline of South Korea, for flights between Seoul (Incheon) and Abu Dhabi and beyond.