Etihad is planning to significantly expand its network to operate at 45 per cent pre-COVID 19 capacity by August.
The airline hopes to be able to service 58 destinations including New York, Barcelona and Mumbai in a move made possible due to a relaxing of restrictions in its Abu Dhabi base.
Previously, its service was mostly limited to special passenger, cargo and humanitarian flights, but this announcement signals a move to operate more purely commercial trips again.
At the end of June, the UAE announced carriers could resume services and sanctioned transit in Dubai if a connecting flight departs within 24 hours.
Then, days ago, Abu Dhabi eased restrictions to allow citizens to take 48-hour trips outside of the emirate. Motorists, for instance, must be tested in the city before they leave and take the results with them.
Previously, citizens had to be screened again at a clinic before returning.
The airline said the move has been possible because it has appointed certain staff as “Wellness Ambassadors” who provide health information and advice to customers on the ground.
Chief executive Tony Douglas said, “The easing of restrictions on travel to and from the UAE is an important first step and a great development for Abu Dhabi.
“The priority is now to build the network back up on markets that have opened up, and to provide a secure and hygienic flying environment across the entire guest journey.
“Over the last few months, we have seized every opportunity to improve our processes, review our product offering, and to undertake the biggest fleet maintenance program in our history. We are tremendously grateful to our customers and partners for their continued loyalty.”
The new proposed network is posted below.
North America: Chicago, New York JFK, Toronto, Washington, DC.
Europe: Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Belgrade, Brussels, Dublin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva, Istanbul, London Heathrow, Madrid, Manchester, Milan, Moscow, Munich, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Rome, Zurich.
Middle East & Africa: Amman, Bahrain, Beirut, Cairo, Casablanca, Kuwait, Muscat, Rabat, Riyadh, Seychelles.
Asia: Ahmedabad, Baku, Bangkok, Bengaluru, Chennai, Colombo, Delhi, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Jakarta, Karachi, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, Male, Manila, Mumbai, Seoul, Singapore, Thiruvananthapuram, Tokyo.
Australasia: Melbourne, Sydney.
