Abu Dhabi’s Etihad to expand Madrid route to daily operations

Abu Dhabi airline Etihad Airways has announced that its Madrid route will be expanded to operate daily from June 1, 2017.

The airline will introduce three new flights each week next year to offer guests “greater choice and more travel options”, a statement said.

The carrier first launched scheduled passenger services to Spain in March last year.

Additional services on the route will continue to be operated with a two-class Airbus A330-200 offering 22 business and 240 economy class seats.

Flight EY 75 will leave Abu Dhabi at 02.10 and arrive in Madrid at 08.40. The return flight EY 76 will depart from the Spanish capital at 10.00 and arrive in the UAE capital at 19.45.

The extra flights will provide connections to markets across the Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent, Asia and Australia, Etihad said.

Popular connecting destinations via Abu Dhabi include Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, Mumbai and Delhi.

From Madrid, travellers can connect to Etihad codeshare partner Air Europa’s network of seven cities in Spain, including Barcelona, Bilbao, Gran Canaria, La Coruna, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife and Vigo.

Air Europa also flies to destinations in South America and the Caribbean, including Asuncion, Cancun, Lima and Santo Domingo.

Etihad offers links with codeshare partner Avianca between Madrid and the Colombian capital Bogota.

Kevin Knight, Etihad Aviation group chief strategy and planning officer, said: “Our expanded Madrid operation is in line with Etihad Airways’ strategy to offer more choice, greater frequency and additional travel options when aircraft availability and market conditions permit.

“The extra flights will cater to the strong demand between the two capital cities, and connect our diverse international network even more with the Spanish capital and destinations across Spain and beyond, through our partners.”

The additional services will also provide 36 additional tonnes of freight capacity.

The increased capacity is also hoped to support growing trade and cultural ties between the UAE and Spain, specifically with regards to industries such as fashion, petrochemicals, construction, education, healthcare, transportation and tourism.