Mumbai: Airberlin, Europe\u2019s sixth biggest carrier, has begun direct services from Berlin to Abu Dhabi with the first flight to the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) arriving this morning.
\nThe inaugural flight was greeted by a traditional water canon salute after touchdown at Abu Dhabi International Airport.\u00a0Airberlin will operate the new flights in conjunction with Etihad Airways. This follows last month\u2019s historic announcement that the national flag carrier of the UAE would become airberlin\u2019s largest single shareholder.
\nUsing an Airbus A330-200 aircraft, airberlin will operate four flights a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday) between the two capital cities.
\nAddressing guests at Berlin Tegal airport prior to boarding inaugural flight AB7494, airberlin Chief Executive Officer Hartmut Mehdorn said: \u201cThis strategic partnership with Etihad Airways not only opens up unique opportunities for the future of airberlin, it also brings a number of benefits for passengers in terms of access to new routes, including our new all-year-round direct services to Abu Dhabi.
\n\u201cThe new route will allow business and leisure travellers to experience the very best of what Abu Dhabi has to offer. In addition, it is a fantastic opportunity for travellers to use the UAE hub as a convenient and accessible gateway to Asia and Australia. We look forward to working with all the various stakeholders in making this new route a success for all.\u201d
\nGuests at the Berlin Tegal airport reception included UAE Ambassador to Germany, His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Mahmood, German Ambassador to the UAE, His Excellency Nikolai von Sch\u00f6pff, Lord Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, Chief Commercial Officer of Berlin Airports, Dr. Manfred K\u00f6rtgen, Etihad Airways Senior Vice President of Technical, Werner Rothenbaecher, federal and local politicians.
\nWelcoming the flight to Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan said: \u201cThis flight marks a key milestone in our new partnership with airberlin.
\n\u201cWe are delighted, through this partnership, to link the capital cities of Germany \u2013 a hugely important market for Etihad Airways \u2013 and the United Arab Emirates.
\n\u201cWe are looking forward to strengthening our ties with airberlin as we work closely over the coming months to explore opportunities to bring the benefits of our partnership to our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Mumbai: Airberlin, Europe\u2019s sixth biggest carrier, has begun direct services from Berlin to Abu Dhabi with the first flight to the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) arriving this morning. The inaugural flight was greeted by a traditional water canon salute after touchdown at Abu Dhabi International Airport.\u00a0Airberlin will operate the new flights in … Continue reading