Etihad Airways to launch services to Baku

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, today announced the launch of a four times per week service linking Abu Dhabi to Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan.

The flights, which commence on 1 October 2015, will be operated using an Airbus A320 aircraft with 16 Business Class and 120 Economy Class seats, offering a total of 1,088 seats per week.

Situated on the shores of the Caspian Sea, with a catchment area of two million people, Baku is a major crossroad and commercial hub in Azerbaijan, being the country’s main administrative, financial, industrial and cultural centre.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “The launch of Etihad Airways’ flights to Baku’s Heydar Aliyev International Airport is consistent with our strategy of targeting areas of strong growth in the fast-growing Caucasus region.

“The new flights will cater for the significant demand for business and leisure travel between Azerbaijan and the UAE, while also providing better access to Azerbaijan for hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani diaspora, particularly those residing in North America.

“Business and leisure travellers out of Azerbaijan will have great opportunities to connect over our Abu Dhabi hub to destinations across the Gulf region, Indian Subcontinent, Asia and North America. Also, the new Abu Dhabi-Baku service will contribute to the development of trade and tourism in Azerbaijan and the UAE, enhancing the already strong ties between both countries.”

In 2012, trade turnover between the UAE and Azerbaijan totalled US$400 million, and there are currently more than 12,000 Azerbaijanis living in the UAE.

Famed for its warm hospitality and natural beauty, with breath-taking botanic gardens and parks, as well as historic attractions, museums and galleries, Azerbaijan is an ideal destination for visitors seeking great culture and history alongside beautiful scenery and outdoor activities.