Etihad operates first Bahrain flight
Etihad Airways, the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, commenced scheduled service to Bahrain today, August 22, 2004. More than 100 travel agents and managers from the leading travel and tour companies in the United Arab Emirates were aboard EY Flight 703 as it left for Bahrain at 17:05 local time. The inaugural flight was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the departure gate.
Dr. Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan, Etihad Airways' Chairman, said the new flights will further enhance the existing strong ties between Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, who share a common cultural heritage and many financial and economic interests. It is the airline's first destination within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The chairman also noted the new route complement's the airline strategy of rapid growth in both destinations served and expansion of seating capacity. The new route marks the ninth destination in as many months for Etihad Airways, which continues to expand its fleet of modern aircraft and its route network in rapid fashion. New flights to London Gatwick are scheduled to begin on September 1, and the airline expects to add Mumbai to its schedule within a month.