YYC-AUH: Only Direct Flight to the UAE from Western Canada Takes Flight with EY
by Bruce Parkinson
Etihad Airlines has completed the first ever non-stop flight between Abu Dhabi and Calgary.
CTV News reports that a small celebration took place at Calgary Airport to mark the occasion, after sold-out flight EY29 touched down Sunday morning, greeted by dignitaries from the province, the airport, and the tourism sector.
The new service will operate four times a week on Etihad’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
“This is a historic moment for the city of Calgary and for the province of Alberta,” said Alberta Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Minister Joseph Schow, “and really for Western Canada as we now have the only direct flight in the UAE.
“What that does is connects Alberta and Western Canada to the Middle East and really to the rest of the world.”
Alpena Matthews, Etihad’s regional manager for the Americas, said the new route represented an opportunity for the airline.
“This is a new connection that will open doors to greater opportunities in tourism, business, trade, and investment,” Matthews said.
“While we’re connecting travellers from Calgary to Abu Dhabi, and more than 100 destinations across our growing global network. For all of us at Etihad Airways, it is an important moment for us.
“Calgary is a dynamic international connection, the city with tremendous growth potential, and we are proud to bring this service and our people and our hospitality to this market.”
