Third Chinese gateway added by Etihad Airways

A third city in China is being added to the Etihad Airways network from its Abu Dhabi hub.

The port city of Guangzhou will be served from next month.

Etihad says it will become the first international airline to operate long-haul passenger services to the top three Chinese gateways since the start of the pandemic.

Twice-weekly flights are due to start on October 10, initially using a two-class Boeing 777, subject to regulatory approvals. 

Guangzhou joins service to Shanghai which resumed in July 2020 and Beijing, which restarted three months ago.

Etihad will run four weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and China – two a week to Guangzhou and weekly to Beijing and Shanghai.

Global sales and cargo senior vice president Martin Drew said: “We are proud to offer our guests a third destination in China as Etihad Airways begins flights to the pivotal and historic port city of Guangzhou. 

“As well as being a modern and rapidly growing city itself, Guangzhou has excellent connections with the Greater Bay Area.

“Our twice-weekly service will further address the huge demand for passenger travel between the UAE and China, as well as provide new cargo capacity, building on the formidable people and business ties between the two markets.”