Etihad to increase Manchester capacity

Airline capacity on Manchester to Abu Dhabi flights is to be increased by as much as 60 per cent when Etihad Airways upgrades its aircraft.

The Middle Eastern carrier is to move from its current A330-200 fleet to B777-300 aircraft as of June this year.

With the aircraft change, an additional 2,100 seats per week will become available for booking.

Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer of Etihad Airways, said: "Our services to Manchester have been performing very strongly, with load factors of close to 80 per cent in 2009.

"The business and investment ties between Manchester and Abu Dhabi have never been stronger and the introduction of the B777 furthers our commitment to this important route."

Services between Manchester and the emirate were first launched by Etihad in 2006. Flights currently operate seven times a week, with many travellers being able to change onto onward connections to other destinations at Abu Dhabi.

Posted by Mike, 18 February 2010 13:44

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• Abu Dhabi
• Etihad