Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Effective 3 October 2018, Etihad Airways will introduce the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its scheduled services from Abu Dhabi to Rabat, capital of the Kingdom of Morocco, replacing the Airbus A330-300 currently serving the route.
The
introduction of the technologically advanced aircraft on Rabat services is a
further boost to its presence in the Moroccan market. On 1 May this year, the
airline placed the 787 Dreamliner on its daily flights to the kingdom’s
commercial hub, Casablanca. The move to place the aircraft on Rabat flights
will provide customers travelling on Etihad Airways’ Moroccan routes with full
product consistency, the latest inflight technology, and increased cargo
capacity to further boost trade.
Robin
Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Morocco is a
very important destination on the Etihad network, underscoring the close cultural
and commercial ties between the kingdom and the UAE.
“Our
flights to Rabat and Casablanca have proved tremendously popular with UAE and
Moroccan nationals, and residents. Adding the 787 Dreamliner on all our
Moroccan services will now provide our customers flying to both capitals with
the same award-winning cabins, innovative seating and products.”
Etihad
Airways’ three-class version of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner features 8 private
First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 199 Economy Smart Seats.
To
meet summer peak travel demand, Etihad Airways recently added a third weekly
service to Rabat, operating every Saturday until 29 September. The extra flight
provides more choice to the increasing number of point-to-point business and leisure
travellers between both cities.
Etihad
Airways has been serving Rabat since January 2016, providing the only long-haul
link from the city, and the only service operated by the 787 Dreamliner.
Etihad Airways has had a codeshare partnership in
place with Royal Air Maroc (RAM) since May 2007, with the Moroccan flag carrier
placing its ‘AT’ code on Etihad services from Abu Dhabi to both Rabat and
Casablanca.
Under the agreement, Etihad Airways places its ‘EY’
code on Royal Air Maroc’s services from Casablanca to Agadir, Marrakech and
Tangier, and pending government approvals, from Casablanca to Abidjan in Ivory
Coast, Conakry in Guinea, and Dakar in Senegal.
Abu
Dhabi – Rabat schedule:
Effective 3 October 2018 (Timings local):
Flight No. | Origin | Departs | Dest | Arrives | Aircraft | Freq |
EY615 | Abu Dhabi | 10:40 | Rabat | 16:00 | Boeing 787-9 | Wednesday, Friday |
EY616 | Rabat | 19:40 | Abu Dhabi | 06:20+1 | Boeing 787-9 | Wednesday, Friday |