Indian carrier Jet Airways launched a new non-stop link between Hyderabad and the Abu Dhabi International Airport hub of its new equity partner, Etihad Airways. The daily link from Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (GHIAL) was launched on March 1, 2014 and is flown using a Boeing 737-800.

This new flight will further strengthen Jet Airways’ growing international network in the Gulf region, enhancing flight connectivity beyond Abu Dhabi to immediate Gulf countries and to destinations in North America and Europe via the network of Etihad Airways. It already operates a daily flight to Abu Dhabi from Delhi, Kochi and Chennai and offers eleven flights a week from Mumbai to the UAE city.

“Jet Airways, as a preferred brand on this highly competitive Indo-Gulf market and has won acclaim on account of its excellent service and quality of its in-flight product. We are confident that our airline will soon emerge as one of the first choice carriers on this popular route given our unparalleled domestic network in India and ever expanding international footprint,” said Gaurang Shetty, senior vice president – commercial, Jet Airways.

At the official launch of the new route, Mr S G K Kishore, chief executive officer, GHIAL expressed happiness and hope that the new service would cater to the burgeoning demand between Hyderabad and the Middle East. “Hyderabad has always enjoyed cultural relationship with the Middle East. In addition the onward traffic to the West also can avail of this new service. GHIAL feels proud and happy in this regard,” he said.