Etihad to launch Brisbane flights in September…………………

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE who says that they are the world’s fastest growing new airline, has announced that they will start a three flights a week Brisbane service in September.  

Coming on top of their announcement this week that the Sydney service will go to daily next week and that they now offer the only one stop service, from Sydney to Dublin from July 2, the Brisbane flights, which will operate via Singapore, will provide Australian business and leisure travellers with a frequent service to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and onwards to 44 destinations worldwide including Europe, North America, Africa and Asia and the Middle East.

Cramer Ball, County Manager for Etihad [pictured right at the launch of the Sydney service earlier this year] told The Mole this morning that he was thrilled that Etihad was commencing services form Brisbane and that while further announcements were on the cards when further rights would be allocated to Etihad in March 2008, his and his team’s role was to consolidate the current and newly announced services, adding, “We have to make sure the Brisbane and Sydney services are success first.”

He did reveal to The Mole though that Etihad is modelling destinations now in preparation for the further rights allocations, adding, “Business is currently great and we are running with loads and revenue beyond our expectations we have been operating with full loads throughout June in terms of both passengers and cargo, with forward loads and revenue very strong, including on the new Dublin service.

He added that Etihad has a very good mix and strong traffic to Abu Dhabi itself which had surprised him with many passengers stopping off in Abu Dhabi, with no doubt that business traffic is incredible in addition to across all classes on their way to Europe.

James Hogan, Etihad’s CEO said: “Since the launch of our Sydney service, we have been eager to expand our Australia operations even further and Brisbane is the ideal destination to add to our flight network.”

“Our customers will be able to travel between Brisbane and Abu Dhabi, with a one hour stop in Singapore.”

The launch of the new route will offer a boost to Queensland tourism as Australia is one of the most popular holiday destinations for UAE nationals with more than 23,000 Emiratis visiting the country in 2006, a seven-fold increase from 1996.

Trade between Australia and the UAE currently stands at around US $3 billion (AED 11 billion), with the UAE firmly established as Australia’s largest trade partner in the Middle East and the fastest growing destination for Australian products and services.

Australian business interests in the UAE continue to grow, with more than 300 companies registered with the Chamber of Commerce, as does the expatriate population which currently stands at around 15,000.

With the government of Abu Dhabi providing US$ 200 billion (AED 734.4 billion) of investment in the emirate’s infrastructure, tourism, manufacturing and services during the next nine years, trade with Australia is set to grow rapidly.

Mr Hogan added: “I would like to acknowledge the tremendous support and co-operation from the Department of Transport and Regional Services and also the help from government, airport and tourism authorities in Queensland to secure our growth in the Australian market.”

Margaret Keech, Queensland’s minister for tourism, said: “Australia’s cultural diversity ensures that it is an ideal holiday and business destination for visitors from the Middle East. Furthermore not only is Brisbane the perfect launch point for visiting Queensland’s spectacular coastline and countryside, it is also one of the world’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities.”

John Mickel, minister for state development in Queensland, said “Queensland remains the powerhouse Australian state for entrepreneurial opportunities, growth and tourism, and this new service will give business and tourist passengers a one stop flight to the powerhouse Middle East state of the United Arab Emirates.” 

“With seating capacity limited between the Middle East, Europe and Australia the Brisbane flights will be well accepted by travellers, Etihad’s decision also fits with the Queensland Government’s plans for the state to become the aviation hub for the South East Asia region.”

Etihad will operate a two cabin Airbus A330-200 between Abu Dhabi and Brisbane configured to carry 262 passengers, with 22 in business class and 240 in economy.

Report by The Mole