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Etihad commences direct Perth-Abu Dhabi flights

written by australianaviation.com.au | July 17, 2014

The first direct Etihad flight from Abu Dhabi arrives in Perth on July 16. (Haydn Jones)
The first direct Etihad flight from Abu Dhabi is welcomed to Perth by an ARFF water cannon salute. (Haydn Jones)

Etihad Airways started non-stop services between Perth and Abu Dhabi on July 16 when the first aircraft, an A340-600 operating flight EY486, touched down at Perth at 13:10 local.

Perth is the airline’s fourth Australian destination after Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and will be served by daily direct flights from Abu Dhabi. The flights depart at 22:10, arriving in Perth at 13:10, with the return flight departing Perth at 15:55, arriving back in Abu Dhabi at 23:25.

“Today’s inaugural flight creates the first commercial air link between Perth and Abu Dhabi and marks the beginning of an exciting new era of partnership between the state of Western Australia and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi,” Etihad President and CEO James Hogan said.

“Abu Dhabi and Perth are each popular business travel and holiday destinations – attracting 2.8 million and 7.3 million visitors respectively in 2013 – and we are already seeing a strong commercial response to the new route from travellers in the UAE and Western Australia.”

Etihad’s flights will link into those of partner Virgin Australia which will offer Etihad codeshare flights to 13 Australian ports.

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Comments (7)

  • Chris

    says:

    The inaugural service was operated by an A340-600.

    • australianaviation.com.au

      says:

      Just going off the airline’s release, will adjust thanks

      Andrew

  • James

    says:

    Factual error, the first service was operated by an A340-600 A6-EHK

  • Luke

    says:

    A6-EHH, James.

  • Matt

    says:

    Curious as to why the inaugural service was on an A340 and not the A330. So far both flights have departed up to 50 minutes late.

  • Dave

    says:

    Special livery perhaps … maybe they think its more likely to be photographed being an inaugural flight?
    Or maybe it needed a wash!

  • James

    says:

    Unfortunately I had a slip of the finger, and was annoyed I could not amend it… The A346 is scheduled later in the year on a few one off services as well

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