Four airlines in talks to launch new Abu Dhabi flights

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is in talks with four airlines from southeast Asia and Europe interested in launching flights to the UAE capital, a senior company official has announced.

Meetings have taken place throughout the Paris Airshow, with one or more agreements expected in the next three months.

“So far, the talks have been very good and I think you will see even more airlines start operations to the emirate closer to the end of this year,” Mohammed Al Bulooki, vice president for airline marketing and aeronautical revenue, said.

“For us, the great thing about our job is Abu Dhabi as a city is attractive to the airlines. As an airport our job is to facilitate their move to the city, but Abu Dhabi and the economy has grown, which is really making a difference.”

Meetings with other carriers outside the show have also been held, according to Bulooki, who revealed 11 airlines have signed up to Abu Dhabi during the past 18 months.

Airlines flying to Abu Dhabi airport are “guaranteed” full seat factors, he told Arabian Business.

Bulooki added: “Filling seats is the most important thing for an airline and Abu Dhabi can guarantee that."

He said airlines were attracted by high yields and seat loads on flights to the UAE capital. “Abu Dhabi as a destination has been known to have a higher yield than most other destinations and this is the main reason why airlines are looking here,” he said.

While some carriers are looking to connect with Abu Dhabi, airlines already flying there are keen to increase frequencies following popular demand for the route, Bulooki claimed.

“Most airports are posting negative or no growth, but we have been on average between eight and 10 percent growth,” he added. “No other airport in these current times is posting double digit growth, so that’s good for us.”

Bulooki also said the airport was capable of handling between 13 million and 14 million passengers annually following the opening of Etihad Airways’ Terminal 3. Prior to shifting Etihad flights to T3, the hub’s capacity was roughly nine million annual passengers.

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