OREANDA-NEWS  On 08 December was announced, that the official opening ceremony of the first flight of Etihad Airways to Moscow International Airport Domodedovo from Abu-Dabi took place in the International Departure Hall of Domodedovo on December 1st 2008. Sergey Rudakov, Director of Domodedovo Airport Complex, Aleksey Raevskiy, Managing Director of JSC “Domodedovo Commercial Services”, Joost den Hartog, Etihad Airways Regional General Manager, Natalia Goryunova, Etihad Airways General Manager Russia, Geoff Rhodes, Etihad Airways Project Manager Russia and other representatives of both airline and airport management were present at the event.

The national carrier of the UAE will be transporting passengers on comfortable A 319 and A 320 liners. During flight launch period Etihad Airways is going to use the Airbus 320 with a total capacity of 120 seats with 20 business class seats.

“Domodedovo airport is the largest airport in Russia that offers services of European quality. The airport is successfully developing not only in means of technical facilities but infrastructure in general. Etihad Airways has always paid special attention to service, and it means not only the comfort of stay on board the aircraft, but also the services provided to customers before and after the flight, that’s why it was extremely important for us to choose a partner in Russia, which will share our basic values. In our opinion Domodedovo is such a partner”, says Geoff Rhodes, Etihad Airways Project Manager, Russia.

“The fact that UAE airlines have the highest demands concerning quality standards is well known in the international aviation community. We are very glad that Etihad Airways chose Domodedovo airport as the gateway to Moscow. We will continue putting maximum effort to keep up the high standards of service that our passengers are used to. We are delighted to open new airways to Russia and Europe for UAE airlines”, comments Sergey Rudakov, Director of Domodedovo Airport Complex.

Flight schedule

Etihad Аirways

Etihad Airways is the national carrier of the UAE, it’s central office situated in the capital of UAE - Abu-Dabi. The first flight of the airline took place on November 5 th 2003. Now Etihad Airways has grown into one of the most dynamically developing airlines in the history of commercial aviation operating flights on 48 destinations.

By the end of 2008 it’s fleet will amount to 42 aircraft growing to 52 by the end of 2011.

In July 2008 during Farnborough Airshow Etihad Airways placed a record order for 205 new aircraft. The order that included 55 Airbus and 45 Boeing aircraft is considered one of the largest in the history of commercial aviation. By 2020 Etihad Airways plans to take over 25 million passengers to over 100 destinations.

In October 2008 Etihad Airways success was acknowledged at the World Travel Awards (WTA) where the company was nominated as Leading Airline of the Near East, also for Best First Class and Best Tourism Web-site.