Etihad to increase Manchester flights

ABU Dhabi airline Etihad is strengthening its North Wes ties by increasing the number of flights to 10 from seven.

Etihad, which recently launched its own business lounge at Manchester Airport said the increased service would be effective from this summer.

The carrier, which is a major sponsor of Manchester City FC, also announced increased services to Abu Dhabi from Paris, Geneva, Milan and Brussels.

Chief executive James Hogan said: “As we take delivery of new aircraft in 2011, our focus is on offering at least a daily service on key business routes – and wherever possible, a double-daily service – to attract a greater share of the corporate travel market.

“At the same time, the new schedule will help us offer greatly improved connections across the network, making transiting via Abu Dhabi much more convenient for business and leisure travellers.”

Mr Hogan said 2011 will be “one of the most important years” in the airline’s seven-year history as a result of expansion, investment in new aircraft, and moving towards break-even by the year-end.

Manchester Airport’s managing director Andrew Harrison welcomed the increased investment in Manchester: “Coming so soon after the opening of the new lounge in Terminal 1, this is welcome news for passengers from the North West.

“It improves access to Etihad’s range of long haul services with connections available through Abu Dhabi to a global network that includes destinations like Sydney, Melbourne, Bangkok, Cape Town and Islamabad.

“They’ve been strong partners of the airport since 2006 and we’re pleased to see their offering going from strength to strength.”