On Behalf of

Business & Finance Club - Transportation - Abo Dhabi: Etihad Airways on Monday commenced non-stop flights from Abu Dhabi to Baghdad, becoming the first airline in the UAE to operate to the Iraqi capital.

Passengers on the inaugural flight, which departed from Abu Dhabi Airport at 10am, included Abdullah Ebrahim Al Shehhi, the UAE Ambassador to Iraq; Dr Abdullah Al Jumaili, cultural attache, and Ahmad Jaber, acting Charge d'Affairs in Iraq.

Etihad chief executive James Hogan said: "These new services are an important step for Etihad and for the UAE, reflecting a commitment to strengthening ties in the region. We believe demand on the route will build quickly, particularly from government and business travellers. We also expect to see strong interest from people from Iraq connecting through Abu Dhabi to Etihad's extensive global network."

Etihad will operate five return services a week to Baghdad, using two-class Airbus A320 aircraft, and will expand its operation with two additional A320 return services to a second Iraq destination — Arbil — from June 1, subject to government and regulatory approvals.

Five return flights

Etihad's flight EY555 to Baghdad departs Abu Dhabi on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 10am, arriving at Baghdad's international airport at 11.25am the same day. The return flight, EY554, departs Baghdad on the same days at 12.30pm, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 3.50pm.