Etihad to step up Maldives services in summer

Etihad Airways yesterday announced four additional weekly flights on the popular Abu Dhabi-Male route, increasing frequency to the idyllic Maldives to 11 services a week between July 1 and September 17, 2017.

The capacity increase will cater to high demand during the peak summer season. The announcement comes as the Abu Dhabi-based airline completed five years of operations to the Maldives.

The summer expansion will be supported by a twoclass A320 aircraft operating the route, with 16 Business and 120 Economy seats. The four extra flights each week will provide more options for local passengers travelling between Abu Dhabi and Male with an early morning arrival into the Maldives islands.

Connectivity boost

Overall connectivity to and from key destinations in the GCC and Europe will increase and, new two-way connectivity will be established from markets such as Edinburgh, Jeddah, Madrid, Moscow and Zurich.

Over the past five years, Etihad Airways has carried more than 450,000 passengers on the route, with the majority travelling to the Maldives from Abu Dhabi, the GCC and key European markets. The Maldives is the ultimate honeymoon and leisure destination, with Male being the gateway to the premium leisure destination. Etihad Airways is a key contributor to the Maldivian economy, supporting the vibrant tourism and fishing industries. Etihad Airways launched daily scheduled flights between Abu Dhabi and the Maldives on November 1, 2011. The additional flights will operate every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between July 1 and September 17.