Abu Dhabi to Berlin flights to launch on October 1 under Etihad partnership

On October 1, Etihad and German airline Condor will launch direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Berlin. The new route was previously announced in December but confirmed in Munich on Friday. Condor planes will transport passengers to and from Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi to Berlin's Brandenburg Airport. Dr Nadia Bastaki, Etihad's chief people, government, and corporate affairs officer, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating that it marks an important milestone for both the UAE and Germany.

The route was announced a day after Germany opened access to Berlin Brandenburg Airport to UAE airlines, as part of President Sheikh Mohamed's state visit to Germany. Etihad has operated in Germany for 22 years, launching its first service to the country in 2004 and currently running 35 weekly flights to German destinations. The partnership with Condor is expected to add between 12 and 14 weekly services in different phases.

Dr Bastaki highlighted strong demand on Etihad's German routes, which operate at a 90% load factor, indicating a high level of passenger demand. The new services will provide passengers with more options and strengthen connections between the two countries. Dr Bastaki also mentioned that Etihad aims to increase frequencies across the four points covered by the bilateral air services agreement between the UAE and Germany, potentially expanding to different cities in Germany.

Germany is one of Etihad's most important European markets, with many German companies having offices in the UAE to serve markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Etihad is also committed to addressing aviation's environmental impact, investing in carbon offset programs and recognizing the responsibility of the aviation sector to reduce its carbon footprint.