Etihad announces three new Pakistan routes

NEW ROUTES: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is continuing the rapid expansion of its Asian sub-continent network, with the announcement of three new routes to Pakistan.

The new destinations of Islamabad and Peshawar was added to Etihad’s current Pakistan service to Karachi from 13 February, 2006 with Lahore starting on February 20, rapidly expanding travel opportunities between the UAE and Pakistan.

This significant expansion of Etihad’s service to Pakistan demonstrates the airline’s commitment to providing frequent and flexible travel between the world’s most significant cultural and commercial destinations.

This is a ground-breaking announcement as Pakistan is the first country in the Etihad network to have four destinations,” said Charles Phelps-Penry, Regional General Manager - Asia Pacific, Etihad Airways.

The new Etihad service will cater for the extensive Pakistan community in the UAE, as well as opening more trade opportunities between the two countries.

The three new routes are expected to see a major increase in trade between the UAE and Pakistan. In 2004-2005 alone the UAE invested more than US$367m in Pakistan, and this bond was enhanced further when the UAE government pledged US$100m for the President’s Relief Fund immediately after the October 2005 earthquake.