Etihad Airways started non-stop services between Perth and Abu Dhabi on July 16 when the first aircraft, an A340-600 operating flight EY486, touched down at Perth at 13:10 local.
Perth is the airline’s fourth Australian destination after Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and will be served by daily direct flights from Abu Dhabi. The flights depart at 22:10, arriving in Perth at 13:10, with the return flight departing Perth at 15:55, arriving back in Abu Dhabi at 23:25.
“Today’s inaugural flight creates the first commercial air link between Perth and Abu Dhabi and marks the beginning of an exciting new era of partnership between the state of Western Australia and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi,” Etihad President and CEO James Hogan said.
“Abu Dhabi and Perth are each popular business travel and holiday destinations – attracting 2.8 million and 7.3 million visitors respectively in 2013 – and we are already seeing a strong commercial response to the new route from travellers in the UAE and Western Australia.”
Etihad’s flights will link into those of partner Virgin Australia which will offer Etihad codeshare flights to 13 Australian ports.
