Etihad Airways, the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, completed its inaugural flight to Beijing Daxing International Airport on March 28. This is the first of many ventures into the Chinese market.
The flight
The first-ever flight to Beijing Daxing by Etihad EY888 operated using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which marks the first of the regular flights between the two capitals.
Before flying to Daxing, the Emirati airline flew to Beijing Capital International Airport. The flight number EY888 is rather special, as the number 8 in China is synonymous with success, wealth, and good luck.
The importance of the Chinese market
Chief Revenue Officer of Etihad Airways, Arik De, stated: “With China’s reopening and the restart of the aviation and tourism industries, we are very glad to see the long overdue move of our scheduled services to Beijing Daxing International Airport.”
“This will further strengthen our commitment to the country’s aviation market development and Chinese travelers.”
Arik furthered: “The integrated transportation facilities at Beijing Daxing International Airport will give Etihad Airways access to a huge catchment area around Beijing West Rail Station.”
“We will be working closely with local partners to transfer Etihad’s rich experience in Europe working with intermodal rail service operators to Daxing to allow greater choice at a competitive fare on a single connecting ticket through air-rail modality.”
This year is also an important year for Etihad Airways. This year marks the 15th anniversary of Etihad Airways’ operations in China and its connection between Abu Dhabi and Beijing.
The committment between the airline and the country means an always-evolving relationship and consolidation and strengthening of bilateral ties between China and the United Arab Emirates, in terms of political, economic, trade, and ties.
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With Etihad’s presence in China spanning 15 years, it shows the unwavering support and commitment of the airline to the Chinese market.
General Manager of the Aviation Business at Beijing Daxing International Airport, Mr. Wang Yaqi, commented on the airline’s 15 years of operations:
“Abu Dhabi Airports Company signed an MoU to build a sister-airport relationship with Beijing Daxing International Airport in 2019, which strengthened the capital-to-capital link.”
“Etihad Airways is one of the first airlines in the Middle East to move to Beijing Daxing International Airport, and we congratulate them on this successful inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi to Beijing Daxing International Airport.”
Mr. Wang furthered: “Beijing Daxing International Airport believes that on the basis of win-win cooperation,.”
“Both sides will inject new vitality into the recovery of civil aviation in China and even the world, while at the same time, making a greater contribution to the people and business ties between the two countries.”
The airline’s first outbound flight to Abu Dhabi will leave Beijing Daxing on March 30, which will allow the Chinese market to fly non-stop to Abu Dhabi as their final destination or a connecting destination.
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and is one of the most famous shopping destinations in the middle east, tainted with a mixture of modernity and Arabian culture.
