Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, is celebrating 15 years in Australia since it first launched flights back in 2007 to connect the nation with its favourite destinations across the world.
Etihad first launched daily flights between the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, and Sydney on March 27 2007.
In September that year, Etihad launched flights to Brisbane, followed by Melbourne in 2009 and Perth in 2014. Etihad was operating 42 weekly flights between Australia and Abu Dhabi at its peak before the airline was forced to reduce operations in the country due to the pandemic.
Fifteen years to the day since its inaugural Australian flight, on March 27 2022, Etihad increased its Melbourne and Sydney services to daily, offering 14 weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Australia.
The schedule provides a mix of morning and evening departures with convenient two-way connectivity to Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Etihad has built a strong cultural connection with Australia over the years, tied to the community through our patronage of the arts, elite sports and landmarks.
“We held the naming rights for Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium for ten years and continue to be the main shirt sponsor for Melbourne City Football Club. We were also a proud partner of the Australian Sports Hall of Fame for a long time.
“We embraced the arts, partnered with Australia Fashion Week and the Fashion Laureate, and did some amazing work with the Sydney Opera House for a number of years, helping to share Australia’s cultural icons across the globe.
“To date, we have carried over 9.5 million passengers to and from Australia, connecting Aussies with the world via our home Abu Dhabi.”
Throughout the pandemic, Etihad continued to serve Australia’s needs despite significant restrictions, helping to keep families connected, repatriating Australians stranded abroad, and maintaining the critical trade imports & exports vital for Australia’s economy.
Etihad’s partnership with Austrade provided dedicated cargo services between Abu Dhabi and Australia to deliver essential supplies into the Australian market and facilitated bi-directional trade to ensure continuity of fresh exports from Australia, including meat, fish and seafood, fruits, and vegetables.
The airline also played a fundamental humanitarian role throughout the pandemic, sending medical supplies and aid throughout 2020 and, as part of the Hope Consortium distributing vaccines throughout 2021.
Etihad also played a significant role in the aftermath of the Afghanistan crisis, helping repatriate evacuees worldwide, including Australia.
Etihad is also a long-established codeshare partner of Virgin Australia, providing travellers from across the country access to Etihad’s global network and visitors to Australia connectivity to over 80 routes on Virgin Australia’s growing domestic network on a single ticket.
Since 2010, Etihad Guest and Velocity Frequent Flyer have provided members with reciprocal access to each other’s networks and member benefits, allowing Velocity Members to earn Etihad Guest benefits and vice versa, including bonus points of up to 100% or the redemption of free flights.
Etihad celebrates with a free flight to Abu Dhabi this weekend
Etihad’s loyalty program Etihad Guest is also celebrating its fifteenth anniversary alongside the opening of international borders this weekend in a major way.
Departing from Sydney on April 2, an entire specially-chartered 787 Dreamliner will fly over 100 lucky competition-winning Etihad Guest members and their lucky plus-ones in all classes for an exclusive trip of a lifetime to Etihad’s home, Abu Dhabi.
Spoilt much? Happy ‘Down under’ birthday Etihad.
Head to www.etihad.com for the latest airline updates.