German carrier airberlin and United Arab Emirates (UAE) national airline Etihad Airways have enhanced their network cooperation and revealed a significant increase in services between Abu Dhabi and Germany and Thailand. The new arrangement is just part of a number of initiatives that have been discussed since Etihad became the largest single shareholder in the German carrier. The first stage of this growing partnership has already seen airberlin launch flights between Berlin and Abu Dhabi, after transferring its Middle East terminus from Dubai.
From the start of the Northern Summer schedules on March 25, 2012, airberlin will upgrade the existing Berlin – Abu Dhabi route from four times weekly to a daily schedule, while from the same date a new Düsseldorf – Abu Dhabi service will be introduced, a route already served by Etihad Airways and due to be upgraded to a daily schedule from April 15, 2012. airberlin will deepen the relationship with Etihad further by establishing a transit base at its Abu Dhabi International Airport base and using the UAE capital as the stopover point for onward flights to the Thai resort of Phuket, subject to Government approval. Although this flight will originate in Berlin, the stopover will allow passengers to connect from either airline’s flights from other German cities including Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich.
In addition, Etihad will launch a third daily Abu Dhabi - Bangkok service from April 15, 2012 with a Boeing 777-300ER configured in a two-class arrangement. The expansion of its network to the Thai capital will cater to growing demand on the route, and the increase in volumes expected as a result of the airberlin partnership.
“Our strategic partnership with airberlin continues to gain momentum, and we are delighted to announce such a major increase in services from our respective hubs,” said James Hogan, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways. “It all adds up to a game changing proposition for travellers in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and across the rest of our combined global network.”
Etihad and airberlin will now offer a combined 42 weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Germany from a total of four German hubs. In addition, the commencement of the first daily non-stop flight from the Middle East to Phuket is an exciting development for leisure travellers across the Middle East and Europe, and highlights Abu Dhabi’s strategic location as a gateway to Asia.
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