Etihad to commence South Korean flights in December

Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced it will commence flights to the South Korean capital, Seoul, on December 12.

Seoul will become the 65th destination on Etihad's network.

Etihad will operate a daily return service to Seoul's Incheon Airport from its home base in Abu Dhabi, with the Airbus A330-200 aircraft flying the route. The Etihad aircraft will have three cabins, offering 2,800 seats each week, to and from Seoul.

James Hogan, the Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said: "South Korea is emerging as a key partner for the UAE, and the decision to commence services to Seoul reflects this strengthening partnership. Over the past two years, Korean business has been building a strong presence in the UAE, particularly in the clean energy sector, construction, technology and small to medium enterprises.

"We expect the increasing trade relations between the two countries will lead to growing numbers of business travellers, as well as people from both regions visiting friends and relatives."

At present, there are over 5,000 Korean nationals living and working in the UAE, as well as a significant number of Korean businesses in operation.

Earlier this year, His Highness General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, visited Seoul to reinforce the strategic partnership between the two countries.

His visit followed the announcement, in December 2009, that a South Korean consortium had won a landmark contract to build and operate four nuclear power reactors in the UAE, worth around US$40 billion (Dh146.89 billion).

Hogan said: "These developments are very exciting for the UAE and will play a key role in the Emirates' evolution. We are committed to supporting trade between the two countries through our passenger and freight services.”

The new service will offer South Korean air travellers convenient onward connections via Abu Dhabi to a number of key destinations across the airline's global network, including the GCC, Istanbul, Athens, London, Paris and South Africa.

"Etihad Airways is grateful to the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and the Abu Dhabi Government, along with South Korean Government and its Civil Aviation Authority for their support, which has enabled the planned commencement of these important new services," Hogan said.