Dubai: In a celebratory gesture to ring in the New Year, Etihad Airways has launched news services to the Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode sectors. The strategic move elevates Etihad’s regional presence and provides Kerala expatriates in the Gulf with an impressive addition of 363 seats to these vital air corridors. The airlines restored the services it had stopped during the Covid period. With these, the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) now operates 10 services to various destinations in India from the Gulf sector.
The Thiruvananthapuram flight will take off from Abu Dhabi at 3.20 am and arrive at the Kerala capital at 9 am. In the return direction, the flight will depart at 10.05 am to reach its destination by 12.55 noon. The daily flight has 198 seats, including eight business class seats. The second service to Kozhikode will take off from Abu Dhabi at 2.20 pm to reach its destination at 7.55 pm. In the return direction, the flight will take off from the Karipur airport at 9.30 pm to arrive at Abu Dhabi at 12.05 midnight. A total of 165 passengers can travel, including eight business class seats.
Those booking tickets from Dubai will be extended connecting bus service facility as well. The buses will depart from Dubai according to the flight timings. The flyers can book air tickets, including the bus fare. The surge of 2541 seats per week has ignited a sense of optimism among the Gulf Malayalis on the potential reduction of fares during peak seasons, offering a more affordable and accessible journey for those traversing between the two vibrant regions.
