The National Airline of United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways has been formed under Amiri decree No 1, 2003 to serve the needs of all UAE residents, in addition to stimulating increased visitor traffic in both the business and leisure sectors.
After reading the first advertisement of Etihad Airways, published in the local newspapers, I am glad to note that people travelling from Karachi to Abu Dhabi sector in Etihad Airways will be treated as "guests" rather than just "passengers".
UAE's National Airline has set a new precedent in the airline history by introducing the unique Diamond, Pearl and Coral zones, instead of the traditional first, business and economy class seats.
Diamond zone guests will be at liberty to use door-to-door luxury chauffer-driven service to and from Abu Dhabi airport within a radius of 40 km from their destination, whereas all passengers travelling in Pearl and Coral zones from Dubai will be provided with their accompanying baggage service to board luxury Volvo coaches stationed at the new Etihad Airways office on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai.
These coaches will connect with all Etihad Airways flights arriving and departing from Abu Dhabi airport.
The present Etihad Airways fleet is consisting A340-300, A330-200 and B767-300 aircraft and in a short period of time the airline will add twelve more A330-200, four A340-500, four A340-600 and five B777-300 aircraft.
The first Etihad Airways flight EY-221 will depart from Abu Dhabi Airport on November 2004 at 02:20 hrs and will arrive at the Karachi Airport at 05:20 hrs. Similarly, the first flight EY-222 will depart from Karachi Airport at 06:40 hrs and will reach Abu Dhabi Airport at 08:10 hrs.
With the introduction of the newly-formed airline, the diplomatic ties and bilateral relations between the governments of Pakistan and UAE will further flourish and a number of Pakistani citizens will be able to get employment opportunities in the Etihad Airways, whereas Pakistani nationals working in UAE will experience the comfort of the wide-bodied jet aircraft and the delicious meals that will be served during the journey.