Tehran Unveiled as Next Destination for Etihad

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (SANEPR.com) November 14, 2006 -- The new route is set to offer a valuable service for the 400,000-strong Iranian community living in the UAE, while further strengthening commercial ties between Abu Dhabi and Tehran.

“There is a strong tradition of the Iranian people living and working in the UAE and we are looking forward to serving these many families and businesses,” said Raymond Korban, Regional General Manager: UAE and Oman for Etihad Airways.

“Etihad’s three-times-a-week service will enable business and leisure travellers to fly conveniently between these two historic Middle Eastern capitals, whilst enjoying Etihad’s high standards of comfort and luxury.”

Research conducted by Etihad has shown that many Iranian travellers will combine trips to see UAE-based family members with visits to some of the region’s world-class shopping malls.

Furthermore, many Iranian expatriates who have previously been living in Europe or the United States are looking to invest in property in the UAE because of the proximity to Iran and booming business opportunities.

The Iranian population living in the UAE is also growing at a rapid pace, with 6,500 Iranian companies operating in the country and 10,000 Iranian students at schools and colleges.

“One of Etihad’s core themes is to bring the world closer together and this new frequent service will link the people of these two proud nations, whether they are travelling on business or for pleasure,” continued Korban.

Etihad will operate one its brand new purpose-built Boeing 777-300ER aircraft which is configured to carry a total capacity of 378 Guests, 350 in Coral Zone and 28 in Pearl Zone.

The new Boeing 777-300ER affords Guests the highest levels of style and hospitality with the award-winning business bed in Pearl Zone and the widest Coral Zone seats in the industry.

Outbound flight EY731 will depart from Abu Dhabi International Airport every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 01.55hrs, arriving in Tehran at 03.25hrs. The return flight, EY 732, will depart at 04.55hrs, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 07.25hrs. Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport is located on the outskirts of the city and is well serviced by public transport.

Etihad Airways in India currently flies 10 times per week 7 flights from Mumbai and 3 flights from Delhi to Abu Dhabi each week, operated by new Airbus A330 200 with the new Pearl and Coral zones.to Abu Dhabi, providing swift and convenient onward connections to the airline’s fast growing global network of 35 destinations.


About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways, the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, is the world’s leading new airline and currently offers flights for Guests and cargo to 46 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.

Etihad Crystal Cargo – www.crystalcargo.ae – offers a comprehensive range of cargo services throughout Etihad’s network, and services its many all-cargo destinations and world-wide charters with a fleet of modern regional freighter aircraft.

Etihad Holidays - www.etihadholidays.com - offers a range of innovative holiday options in 82 destinations including skiing, fly-drives, cruises, tours, stopovers, inbound programmes and city breaks.

Through these exciting divisions, Etihad Airways is changing the way people see the world.

Etihad Airways has been awarded the titles of the world’s leading new airline in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and the world’s leading flat-bed seat in 2006 by the World Travel Awards.

For more information about this award-winning aviation group, please visit www.etihadairways.com.


For further information please contact:
Achal Paul/ Nisha Pereira/ Nandini Jayaraman
9810162377/ 9811061606/ 9871467112