ETIHAD AIRWAYS TO COMMENCE FLIGHTS FROM LAGOS, NIGERIA

 Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has confirmed that flights to and from West Africa’s most populous city, Lagos, will commence from July 1, 2012.

The direct flights will link Abu Dhabi and Lagos six times a week and will be operated by a two class A330-200 aircraft with 22 Pearl Business class and 240 Coral Economy seats.

Lagos becomes the 83^rd destination in Etihad Airways’ global network and the return flights will create a new link between Nigeria, Africa’s third largest economy, and the United Arab Emirates.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “The launch of services to Lagos is consistent with our strategy of targeting areas of strong growth in emerging markets. The United Arab Emirates is a major trade partner of Nigeria, which has a population of more than 150 million people, the largest in Africa and the seventh biggest in the world.”

The Lagos schedule will provide seamless connections over Abu Dhabi to key North and Southeast Asian destinations and markets in the Indian Subcontinent and Australia.

Mr Hogan noted, “Nigeria is also enjoying strong economic growth driven by significant foreign investment, particularly from China, which means there is increasing demand for travel between Lagos and other emerging economies.”

Following the launch of services to the Seychelles in November 2011, Tripoli and Nairobi in January and April 2012, the addition of Nigeria marks another milestone in Etihad Airways’ expansion plans in Africa.

The flight schedule is made up of early morning and late morning flights to Abu Dhabi, six times a week on the A330-200 with its 22 Pearl Business Class and 240 Coral Economy Class configuration.