Russian reception marks launch of Etihad's Moscow flights

The special reception, held at the Shangri-La Qaryat Al Bery, was attended by members of the UAE's Russian business community, and senior Etihad management and staff.

Etihad Airways will launch flights on 1 December to the Russian capital city of Moscow from its Abu Dhabi home base.

Speaking at the reception James Hogan, Etihad Airways' Chief Executive, said:

"The Russian capital city is the latest addition to our network of major business and leisure destinations providing crucial links between Abu Dhabi and the world on one of the youngest aircraft fleets in the aviation industry."

Hogan added, "The new service between the capital cities of the UAE and Russia will enhance further the strong business and tourism ties between the two countries."

"Commercial links between the UAE and Russia are vibrant and we are pleased to be a part of these exciting developments. It is our objective to play a key role in the growth of travel, tourism and trade between these two great cities," he added.

Moscow, with a population of more than 10 million people, will become the first destination in Russia to be served by the national airline of the United Arab Emirates with non-stop flights five times a week.

Moscow will be Etihad's eleventh European destination which already includes services to Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, London, Manchester, Milan, Minsk, Munich and Paris.

Etihad will operate to Moscow on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays a two-class Airbus A319 configured to carry 104 passengers with 20 seats in business class and 84 in economy class.

On Thursdays, the service will be operated by an Airbus A320 configured to carry 140 passengers with 20 seats in business and 120 in economy.

Flight EY069 will depart Abu Dhabi on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at 9.40am and arrive at Moscow's Domodedovo international airport at 2.05pm the same day. Return flight EY068 will depart Moscow on the same days at 2.55pm, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 9.05pm.