Bangkok--23 Jul--Total Quality PR Etihad Airways, The National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, which operates highly popular twice daily flights from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi and onwards to 45 destinations around the globe, has started its three flights-a-week service from Abu Dhabi to its latest destination, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), in the south Indian state of Kerala. The flights form part of a major expansion in the Indian market which includes Etihad’s New Delhi service going daily from 30 May and the launch of flights to Kochi (Cochin) next week. The new services boost Etihad’s India operations from 10 to 21 flights a week, which will increase to 28 flights a week in October when the Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram flights go daily from Abu Dhabi. James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: “The launch of the Thiruvananthapuram service is the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for Etihad Airways in India. There is huge demand for flights to Kerala from our customers across the world, including Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, and we look forward to welcoming them onboard our aircraft.” The special inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi was greeted by a Keralan ministerial delegation, with passengers and Etihad officials receiving gifts of roses and jasmine. Several events to celebrate the new flights will also take place including a VIP reception with Kerala’s chief minister V. S. Achuthanandan and a corporate and trade dinner in the resort of Kovalam. Launch prices for Etihad’s new Thiruvananthapuram flights start from US$ 343 (Bt11,272) for return coral zone (economy class), US$ 670 (Bt22,120) for pearl zone (business class) and US$ 1,076 (Bt35,518) diamond zone (first class). Photo caption: (left to right) Ahmed Shabeeb, Al Dhaheri, First Deputy Speaker, Federal National Council; Geert Boven, EVP sales and services, Etihad Airways and Khaled Al Mehairbi, VP government and international affairs, Etihad Airways celebrate the launch of Etihad’s new flights to Thiruvananthapuram at Abu Dhabi airportNotes: Etihad will fly from Abu Dhabi to Thiruvananthapuram every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Flight EY272 departs from Abu Dhabi at 11.05pm and arrives at 4.45am. Flight EY273 departs from Thiruvananthapuram every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5.50am arriving in Abu Dhabi at 8.15am.About Etihad Airways Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi. Currently Etihad offers flights to 45 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and Australia. For further details: Etihad Airways Corporate Communications: Tel: 02 253 0099 or visit www.etihadairways.com For more information as well as pictures, please contact: Tom Van Blarcom / Ruthaiwan Tanwongwan Total Quality PR (Thailand) Co., Ltd Tel. 02 260 5820 Fax 02 260 5847 — 8 E-mail: [email protected] Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net