On Sunday evening, Hartmut Mehdorn, CEO airberlin, officially opened the new route between the German capital city and Abu Dhabi. He was accompanied by Klaus Wowereit, the Mayor of Berlin, Dr. Manfred A. Körtgen, COO Berlin Airports, Mohammed Ahmed Al Mahmood, Ambassador for the United Arab Emirates in Berlin and Werner Rothenbaecher, Senior Vice President Technical Etihad Airways.

airberlin now flies four times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday) non-stop from Berlin to Abu Dhabi with its Airbus A330-200. The new connection also marks the start of the codeshare agreement between the two airlines, initially covering selected flights in the network of both airlines.

“This strategic partnership with Etihad Airways not only opens up unique opportunities for the future for airberlin, it also brings a number of benefits for our passengers in terms of access to new routes, including our new all-year-round direct connection to Abu Dhabi. This flight is integrated into Etihad’s hub system in Abu Dhabi, so we are in a position to offer excellent connections, for example to Asia and Australia. Passengers coming from Abu Dhabi will have access to the numerous connecting flights operated by airberlin, both to destinations in Germany and also to Austria, Scandinavia and Switzerland. This makes the flight attractive for business travellers and holidaymakers alike,” said Hartmut Mehdorn, CEO airberlin, who himself flew on the inaugural flight AB7494 to Abu Dhabi.

“The strategic partnership between airberlin and Etihad benefits not only both companies, but also Berlin as an aviation location. The new connection to Abu Dhabi is important in establishing Berlin not just as a European hub but also as a global hub. Connections from the German capital to the United Arab Emirates, Asia  and Australia will also be further improved as a result," said Klaus Wowereit,  Mayor of Berlin.

"The partnership between Etihad Airways and airberlin will enhance the bilateral relations between the United Arab Emirates and Germany and will greatly promote the economic cooperation as well as the trade, cultural and tourist exchanges between Abu Dhabi and this special part of Germany. It opens up new possiblities for the future of both airlines. Abu Dhabi will become airberlin's new gateway to Asia and Australia and on the other side the partnership with airberlin will give
Etihad Airways access to the broad East European market and to millions new passengers and consequently a promising opportunity for global growth. The nonstop flight between our two capitals will help to create new bonds and ties between our peoples and will enrich the strategic partnership between our countries", said Mohammed Ahmed Al Mahmood, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates in Berlin.

Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan said: “This flight marks a key milestone in our new partnership with airberlin. We are delighted, through this partnership, to link the capital cities of Germany – a hugely important market for Etihad Airways – and the United Arab Emirates. We are looking forward to strengthening our ties with airberlin as we work closely over the coming months to explore opportunities to bring the benefits of our partnership to our customers.”

Dr. Manfred A. Körtgen, COO Berlin Airports, explained: “With the new long-haul flight to Abu Dhabi, Berlin is now even better connected with the world. airberlin’s commitment to the location of Berlin clearly shows that aviation in the German capital and surrounding region is a growth market. By entering into partnership with Etihad Airways and joining the global airline alliance oneworld, airberlin is gradually further expanding its network. The inauguration of Berlin Brandenburg Airport in just five months’ time will offer the airlines unique opportunities for growth: As the only European airport, BER is capable of nearly doubling its air traffic capacities.”

Source: airberlin