Etihad offers free flights to UAE football fans

UAE football fans have been offered free flights, meals and transport to support the national team as it competes in the semi-finals of the 21st Gulf Cup in Bahrain on Tuesday.

As part of a directive by UAE President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the flights will be operated by Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad Airways.

Etihad will allocate fans around 872 seats from a total of 1,400 on offer from four locations on January 15 for the match against Kuwait, the WAM state news agency reported.

An Etihad spokesperson confirmed the opportunity was only available to Emirati fans and was being allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

Each supporter will be given five flights each, with return flights departing from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai and Sharjah. The package will include free meals and transport to and from the airport and the stadium.

To register for the package, supporters must present their UAE ID card or valid UAE passport by no later than noon on January 14, to the Al Jazeera Club or the Al Ain Club. Supporters from Dubai and Sharjah should register at the UAE Football Association offices in Dubai.