Etihad to launch five flights a week to Moscow in December

Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways will launch flights to the Russian capital Moscow from its Abu Dhabi home base on December 1, 2008, with flights to the Kazakhstan capital, Almaty, commencing the following day.

To mark the start of the historic EY69 flights Etihad has unveiled great-value introductory fares, which are now on sale, with return economy flights to Moscow.

The five flights a week to Moscow and four flights a week to Almaty services are set to follow the highly successful launch of Etihad flights to the Belarus capital Minsk, which started on August 5, 2008.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways' chief executive said: "Russia represents a key emerging market for Etihad. The country's recent economic development is creating an increasingly affluent population with a huge appetite to access Abu Dhabi's property market and growing leisure attractions.

"In addition, Abu Dhabi provides an ideal launch pad for Russian-based air travellers keen to access the growing number of international destinations now served by Etihad Airways."

Etihad will fly to Moscow on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays a two-class Airbus A319 configured to carry 104 passengers with 20 seats in business class and 84 in economy class.

On Thursdays, an Airbus A320 configured to carry 140 passengers with 20 seats in business and 120 in economy will operate the service.