Etihad to launch twice-daily Sydney flights from December, adding 5,000 seats a week.
Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways will increase its Abu Dhabi-Sydney services to twice daily from December 15, adding more than 5,000 weekly seats in each direction as the UAE carrier expands its global network.
The additional daily service will be operated using Etihad’s Airbus A350-1000, providing passengers with two departure options each day during Australia’s busy summer holiday season.
Etihad has operated flights to Sydney since 2007. The airline’s Australian network also includes a daily service between Abu Dhabi and Melbourne, operated with a Boeing 787.
More flights, greater flexibility
The expanded Sydney schedule will provide travellers from the UAE and other destinations across Etihad’s network with greater choice and flexibility when flying to Australia.
For passengers travelling from Australia, the additional service will also offer more opportunities to connect through Abu Dhabi to destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the Indian subcontinent.
Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, said operating twice-daily flights would provide passengers with greater flexibility when travelling between Australia and the airline’s expanding international network.
He added that the increased frequency would improve connectivity through Abu Dhabi, providing smoother access to destinations across the Middle East and Europe while also giving travellers more opportunities to include a visit to the UAE capital as part of their journey.
Etihad expands global network
The increase in Sydney services comes as Etihad steps up capacity growth after rebuilding its network following disruptions earlier this year.
Speaking to Gulf News during the Arabian Travel Market, Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves said the carrier had restored full capacity by July and continued to experience strong passenger demand.
Neves said Etihad operated 17% more capacity in July compared with the same month last year and also generated higher earnings during the period. August was slightly softer due to increased fuel costs, he said, although both July and August remained strong months for the airline.
Neves said September had begun on a positive note, with Etihad continuing to record strong passenger demand and high occupancy across its flights.
The airline achieved a load factor of 92% last month and was operating around 320 flights per day, approximately 20% more than during the same period a year earlier.
More aircraft support expansion
Etihad is also expanding its fleet to support its growing network. Neves said the airline expects to take delivery of around 15 aircraft during the second half of the year, comprising mainly narrow-body jets alongside several Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft.
The carrier is increasingly deploying its Airbus A321LR aircraft to increase frequencies and operate longer routes.
Neves said passenger response to the A321LR had been positive, with the aircraft enabling Etihad to provide more frequent services and a wider choice of departure times.
He added that Etihad now operates twice-daily services to nearly all of its European destinations, an expansion made possible in part by the addition of A321LR aircraft.
Etihad expects its fleet to reach around 140 aircraft by the end of the year, compared with approximately 70 in 2022. Neves highlighted the growth as a significant milestone, with the airline doubling its fleet in four years.
The expanded Sydney schedule will connect passengers with Etihad’s wider international network through Abu Dhabi. Travellers continuing beyond Sydney will also be able to access onward connections through Etihad’s interline partners Qantas, Jetstar and Air New Zealand.
