New Kuwait route completes Etihad's GCC network

The service, which will operate six times a week, marks the fifth and final GCC country for the UAE's national airline and joins Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia on its international schedules.

"Etihad Airways is now an established airline, but it has always been very important that we serve our Guests in our home region as much as those in Europe or North America. Our routes within the GCC enhance commercial ties between the GCC states, whilst using Abu Dhabi as a launch point for our long haul destinations," said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Airways.

Etihad recently bolstered its GCC network by starting flights to Doha and Jeddah, complementing services to Manama, Muscat, Riyadh and Dammam.

"Abu Dhabi and Kuwait City are key business centres in the GCC which will continue to grow rapidly and diversify. The new Etihad Airways route will enhance this and help foster cultural and economic ties,"

added Raymond Korban, regional general manager, UAE and Oman.

Etihad will operate a combination aircraft on the new Kuwait City route, including the two-zone Airbus 330-200, which is configured to carry 22 Guests in Pearl zone and 240 in Coral; and the Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, which has 28 Pearl zone seats and 350 Coral zone seats.

The specification of each aircraft mean that Etihad Crystal Cargo will be able to carry between 14 and 20 tonnes of cargo on each flight, depending on the passenger load.

Flights operate every Monday, Thursday and Saturday from Abu Dhabi, departing at 19:05 and arriving in Kuwait at 19:45 local time. Return flights leave Kuwait City at 20:45, arriving in the UAE capital at 23:25.

On Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays flights leave Abu Dhabi at 14:25, arriving in Kuwait at 15:05 local time. Return services then depart at 16.05, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 18:45.