Etihad adds more Abu Dhabi-Manila flights

MANILA, Philippines - Etihad Airways is boosting services on the Abu Dhabi and Manila route by adding three flights per week next year. 

The additional services between Abu Dhabi and Manila will be offered beginning May 1 next year.  This will bring the airline’s total return flights to 17 per week.

All the 17 flights will utilize a two-class Boeing 777-300ER with 28 seats in Business class and 384 in the Economy class. 

Etihad Airways president and CEO James Hogan said the new services would provide travellers to the Philippines and United Arab Emirates (UAE) more choices.

“The Abu Dhabi-Manila route is one of our strongest in terms of demand and has been capacity-constrained over the past few years,” Hogan said. 

“The new services will increase capacity between the two cities by almost 2,500 seats per week enabling Etihad Airways to better serve the market in the UAE and the Philippines for point-to-point travel,” he added.

The enhanced flight schedule not only provides seamless connectivity but likewise allows Etihad Airways and partner airlines in Europe to have a bigger travel market particularly from the UAE and countries like the United Kingdom, France and Italy. 

“For holidaymakers, the Philippines – with its secluded islands, pristine beaches, undersea diving spots and luxury resorts – is one of the world’s best-kept secrets. There’s huge potential to grow the visitor market, particularly from the Middle East and Europe, and we’re keen to work with our European partner airlines, the Philippine government and its tourism board to showcase the beauty of the country and the friendliness of its people,” Hogan said. 

The additional frequency is also seen to promote greater trade between the UAE and the Philippines particularly in the electronics and fresh food sectors. 

Codeshare partner airline Philippine Airlines places its PR code on the 14 weekly flights on the Abu Dhabi-Manila route currently operated by Etihad Airways. 

By May 1, 2016, the partner airlines will be offering a combined total of 22 weekly flights between Manila and Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Airways started its services to the Philippines in February 2006.