Etihad inks Air Seychelles for Hong Kong codesharing

MANILA, Philippines - Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will commence codeshare services to Hong Kong in February 2013 in partnership with Air Seychelles, subject to regulatory approval.

The three weekly return services between Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong will be operated by the airline’s equity and codeshare partner, Air Seychelles. The new codeshare expands Etihad Airways’ network in Greater China, following the launch of services to Beijing in March 2008, to Chengdu in December 2011, and Shanghai in March this year.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways president and chief executive officer, said: “Hong Kong’s fast growing economy and booming middle class have brought a remarkable increase in the number of travellers in recent years. The new service connects two of the world’s leading international financial and tourism centers, a move we believe will stimulate the growth of commerce and trade between the UAE and China, the UAE’s second largest trading partner.”

The flight schedule will provide leisure and business passengers from Hong Kong with seamless connectivity through Etihad Airways’ hub in Abu Dhabi, to key destinations across the GCC and to key destinations in Europe including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Ireland.

The schedule also allows two-way connectivity between Hong Kong and the Seychelles, supporting a booming tourism industry on the archipelago.