Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), today commenced four times a week, non-stop services between Abu Dhabi and Madrid.

The inaugural flight – EY075 – departed Abu Dhabi Airport on schedule at 02:35 local time and touched down at Adolfo SuárezMadrid-Barajas Airport at 08:45 local time today, 02 April 2015..

Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, and is Etihad Airways’ first destination in the southwestern European country. Madrid joins a group of 20 leading European cities that the airline flies to including Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, London and Paris.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “Madrid is an important addition to Etihad Airways’ European and global network, and we are delighted to commence our operations to the Spanish capital.

“The new route further bolsters our network in Europe and meets growing demand from travellers in Spain and the UAE. The service offers convenient onward connections, via our Abu Dhabi hub, to key destinations across the GCC region, Africa, Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia.”

The Madrid route is operated using a two-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft, configured to carry 262 guests, with 22 Business Class flatbed seats, and 240 Economy Class seats. The flights offer a total of 2,096 seats per week.

Etihad Airways schedule for Madrid flights, effective immediately:

Note: All departures and arrivals are listed in local time.

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About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2014 carried 14.8 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to 111 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 111 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 69 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and nine Airbus A380s.

Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia, and is in the process of formalising an equity investment in Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline. Etihad Airways, along with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand that brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits.  For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com

For more information contact:

Asif Khan, Etihad Airways Corporate Communications

Dir:      +971 (0) 2 511 1543

Mob:    +971 50 812 1364

Email:  [email protected]