Dubai: Etihad Airways said on Wednesday it is suspending flights to San Francisco starting October 29, 2017 due to low load factors, which have reduced the route’s profitability.
This follows a decision by Etihad earlier this year to reduce the frequency on the route to three times a week, after the carrier launched the Abu Dhabi–San Francisco route in November 2014 as a daily service.
“Lower-than-planned yields and load factors have significantly reduced the route’s profitability. The aircraft currently serving San Francisco will be redeployed across the airline’s network,” Etihad said in a statement.
The airline added that it remained committed to its other US services, which are performing at, or above, commercial targets.
Passengers with existing bookings from San Francisco after October 29 will be rebooked on other carriers to connect with Etihad flights from other US destinations such as Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York JFK, and Washington Dulles.
Etihad said it is also offering passengers the option of a full refund.
The suspension by Etihad comes nearly two months after Dubai-based Emirates said it will be cutting down flights to the US in response to weakened travel demand to the US.
The carrier said that actions taken by the American government on issuance of entry visas and restrictions on electronic devices in aircraft cabins “have had a direct impact on consumer interest and demand for air travel into the US.”