Etihad Airways gears up for new Milan service

Milan will be Etihad's first destination in Italy and the Abu Dhabi-based airline's sixth new route of 2007, which includes Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Dublin.

The new flights will connect the UAE's capital with Italy's financial, industrial, fashion and sporting centre, providing a frequent service for business and leisure travellers between the Middle East and southern Europe.

Geert Boven, Etihad Airways' executive vice president sales and services, said: "Milan will be Etihad's ninth European city on our expanding flight network, and underlines further our pledge to provide customers with services to the world's major commercial and leisure destinations."

Etihad's inaugural flight to Milan takes place a week before the Formula 1 Italian grand prix in Monza on 9 September which will feature the Etihad-sponsored Spyker racing team.

Mr Boven added: "Milan is internationally renowned for hosting major cultural and sporting events like the Italian grand prix and therefore we anticipate demand for flights will remain consistent throughout the year."

The new Abu Dhabi-Milan service will be popular with the growing Italian community in the UAE which currently stands at 2,000. Italian commercial interest also continues to increase with more than 100 Italian companies registered in the UAE.

Initial demand for the new Abu Dhabi to Milan service has also been considerable because of the introductory fares Etihad is offering its passengers.

Etihad will operate a three cabin A330-200 aircraft which is configured to carry 12 passengers in first class, 26 in business class and 164 in economy.