Etihad Airways is to suspend flights to Dallas/Fort Worth in the United States from March next year, following on from American Airlines’ decision to terminate its codeshare agreement earlier this year.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways CEO, said the route it set to become commercially unsustainable when that codeshare agreement with American Airlines comes to an end on March 25, which is the date when Etihad will suspend its flights to the Texan city.
“The unfortunate decision by American Airlines to terminate a commercial relationship that benefited both carriers has left Etihad with no choice but to suspend flights between our Abu Dhabi home and Dallas/Fort Worth,” said Baumgartner.
“We are open to American Airlines reversing its decision to cancel our codeshare agreement so that Etihad Airways can continue the route and together protect and support American national interests and global connectivity while driving commercial value for both airlines.”
The route, which was launched in December 2014 with three flights a week, was upgraded to a daily service in February this year.
Etihad said more than 235,000 travellers have flown on the route since its launch, almost half of which connected on US codeshare flights operated by American Airlines.
The suspension of the flight follows on from Etihad’s decision in June to suspend its flights to San Francisco, a decision which came into effect on Sunday last (Oct 29). The airline made the decision due to a drop in passenger demand that affected the route’s profitability.
Etihad Airways currently operates 42 non-stop flights a week to five US gateways – Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York and Washington.
Additionally, Etihad Cargo operates twice weekly Boeing 777F freighter services to and from Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, and Tucson, Arizona.
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