Etihad launches flights to northern Iraq

James Hogan, Etihad Airways CEO and crew members [Getty Images]..

Etihad Airways said on Tuesday it has started non-stop flights from Abu Dhabi to Erbil, becoming the first UAE carrier to operate to northern Iraq.

Etihad operates two return services per week and the Erbil service follows the launch of the airline's flights to Baghdad in April, which quickly grew from three services per week to a daily service.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways' CEO, said: “Etihad is delighted to be the first UAE carrier to operate both Baghdad and Erbil. The response to our services to Iraq has been overwhelmingly positive and we are expecting a high volume of traffic on this new route.”

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He added: “Iraq is a key market for Etihad and will be an important focus for the airline in 2010. We believe the new route will attract leisure travellers from Iraq who are looking for short breaks within the Gulf region, as well as business customers, friends and relatives travelling between the UAE and Erbil.”

Etihad has recently launched cargo operations to Erbil.