New destinations dominate Etihad 2006-2007 winter flight schedule

The new schedule has increased by almost 50 percent from 2005-2006, with a wealth of new destinations including Manchester, Paris, Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Dhaka, Jakarta, Manila, Doha, Kuwait City, Muscat, Khartoum and New York.

"Etihad has continued to grow rapidly throughout the last year, and the launch of this winter schedule is important because our Guests can now fly to so many more international destinations," said Geert W. Boven, Vice President Commercial, Etihad Airways.

"We have expanded in every area of the network with new destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, many of which offer convenient connections onward from our Abu Dhabi hub."

One of the key highlights of the new schedule is the three times-per-week service to the Iranian capital, Tehran, further strengthening the airline's Middle East network.

From 3 December Etihad will operate its brand new, purpose-built, Boeing 777-300ER aircraft between Abu Dhabi and Tehran. The aircraft is configured to carry 350 Guests in Coral Zone and 28 in Pearl Zone.

Once launched on 16 January, the new frequent service to Kuala Lumpur is also expected to become one of Etihad Airways' busiest routes with six flights-per-week to the Malaysian capital.

The highly popular route to Paris's Charles de Gaulle Airport will increase from six flights-per-week to daily from 16 January 2007, with EY 333 departing Abu Dhabi International Airport at 14:00, arriving in the French capital at 20:50.

The return flight, EY 334, leaves Paris at 23:15 hours and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 07:05 hours, ensuring business travellers arrive with plenty of time to freshen up before attending meetings or going to work.

Guests on the daily service to the German financial capital Frankfurt will also now be able to enjoy the luxury of travelling aboard Etihad's purpose-built Airbus A340-500.

The state-of-the-art aircraft is configured to carry 240 Guests, with 12 in Diamond, 28 in Pearl and 200 in Coral Zone.

The A340-500 also offers Etihad's revolutionary Diamond zone seat which sets new industry benchmarks. The Diamond Zone seat can rotate 180 degrees, enabling Guests to hold meetings and dine with one another in maximum comfort.