Etihad Increases Flights to Riyadh

Posted 21/09/2011

Etihad Airways is to increase its flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh this winter, almost doubling capacity as it moves from a daily schedule to 13 flights per week from October 30.  The additional flights will be operated by a mix of Airbus 320 and A330 equipment and will boost the travel options for the increasing number of passengers flying on the route and boost connectivity to a number of key destinations across the airline's global network, including the Indian Subcontinent, Indonesia and the Philippines.

“Saudi Arabia is a key market for Etihad, and Riyadh has always been an important strategic destination for the airline.  These changes allow us to strengthen our position within the GCC network,” said James Hogan, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways. 

The airline first launched flights to Riyadh in December 2004 and already offers 13 flights per week to both Dammam and Jeddah, also in Saudi Arabia.  In the past year it carried an estimated 17,000 O&D passengers on the Abu Dhabi – Riyadh route, a 40 per cent share of the total 43,000 O&D passengers that flew between the two destinations during the period. 

Etihad has actually seen its share of the market fall from 53 per cent in the previous 12 year period as its passenger numbers have slipped.  However, its yield has strengthened as average one-way fares have increased from $267 to $276.  Saudi Arabian Airlines, which also serves the route, currently dominates the market with a 54 per cent share of the traffic, having increased from 42 per cent in the previous 12 month period.

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