Society

Etihad Airways to launch Chengdu route

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-07-05 20:46

BEIJING - Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said Tuesday that it will launch direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Chengdu, capital city of Southwest China's Sichuan province, on December 15.

The carrier plans to fly to Chengdu four times a week. Airbus A330-200 aircraft will be used.

Chengdu will become the airline's second destination in China after Beijing, and its 69th destination worldwide.

The new route will connect the UAE with the economic center and transportation and communication hub of China's booming southwest region, said James Hogan, the carrier's chief executive officer.

The new Chengdu services will further promote the growth of commerce and trade between the two countries, industry insiders said.

China is currently the UAE's third largest trading partner.