Etihad Airways launches A380 service to Paris

Etihad Airways has introduced the Airbus A380 aircraft on one of its two daily services between Abu Dhabi and Paris Charles de Gaulle.

The new service has been introduced to meet seasonal demand from July 1 to October 28 and December 15 to February 15, 2018.

The A380 will then operate a regular year-round service from March 25, 2018. The superjumbo replaces a three-class Boeing 777-300ER previously operating the airline’s daily overnight service to the French capital.

Etihad Airways executive vice president commercial Mohammad Al Bulooki said: "Paris is one of Etihad Airways’ most sought-after destinations, popular with both leisure and business flyers alike.

"We have also seen an increase in the number of French visitors we are welcoming to Abu Dhabi – a hub of culture, commerce, and tourism, which is home to French institutions such as the Louvre Museum and the Paris-Sorbonne University.

"Adding the A380 aircraft on this route reaffirms Etihad Airways’ and the UAE’s commitment to the French market."

The aircraft, which was piloted by a French captain and an Emirati first officer, was greeted with a customary water canon salute on arrival into Paris, where local media and special guests were invited to meet executives from the airline and to tour the aircraft’s interiors.