City boss launches Etihad lounge

ETIHAD, the Abu Dhabi airline has unveiled its new business lounge at Manchester Airport’s Terminal One.

The airline, club sponsor to Manchester City Football Club, was joined by team manager Roberto Mancini and chief executive Garry Cook for the launch event yesterday.

The new facility is only the award-winning airline;s fourth in the world and builds on the success of the airline’s investment in Manchester –  in June a larger aircraft was introduced on the daily Manchester-Abu Dhabi to cope with higher demand.

The 3,400sq ft new lounge includes five-star dining, a business centre, a family room, bathrooms with shower facilities and a prayer room. There is also a gallery of Manchester City memorabilia, giving the lounge a unique theme.

Clive Wratten, UK general manager of Etihad: “This investment is testament to our commitment to Manchester and the importance to Etihad of Manchester. We have a strong relationship with the city and with Manchester City too – which is an important part of our development.”

Chief commerical officer, Peter Baumgartner, added: “Manchester has always been an important market for Etihad and the ties between Manchester and Abu Dhabi have never been stronger.”

Manchester Airport managing director Andrew Harrison said: “Etihad’s Abu Dhabi service is a crucial link between our two closely-linked regions and the addition of a premium lounge demonstrates real confidence in this important relationship.”

 More than 1,500 people fly daily out of Manchester to the Middle East. As well as Etihad, Qatar flies daily and Emirates twice daily.