Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is celebrating two major milestones in Australia this week: the anniversary of its Australian services, and the inaugural V Australia flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi, operated by Etihad alliance partner, the Virgin Blue Group of Airlines.
Last night, at Etihad Stadium – Melbourne’s premier sports and entertainment venue – the airline commemorated Etihad’s second year of service from Abu Dhabi to the Victorian capital. James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, hosted more than 350 representatives from government, travel industry and media.
Tonight, Etihad will co-host an event with alliance partner Virgin Blue at the Sydney Opera House for 300 VIP guests, including the UAE Ambassador to Australia His Excellency Ali Nasser Al Nuaimi and the Australian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Doug Trappett, to mark the commencement of V Australia flights to Abu Dhabi.
James Hogan will be among VIP guests on board the V Australia flight, which departs Sydney at 4:06pm AEDST today.
The flight, operated by a V Australia Boeing 777 aircraft, will mark the first time since 1991 that an Australian airline has operated services to the Middle East in its own right.
V Australia will fly three times weekly between Sydney and Abu Dhabi, bringing to 24 the total number of flights operated by the two airlines between Australia and Abu Dhabi.
For more information, visit www.etihadairways.com.
