Abu Dhabi, UAE, February 22, 2018:  Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), today announced the addition of a second daily direct flight from its Abu Dhabi hub to Rome, effective 25 March 2018. The new service will take the total number of Etihad Airways’ flights on the route to 14 a week.

 

The additional frequencies will be introduced in phases, beginning 25 March 2018, with five extra weekly flights, rising to a twice-a-day service from 1 May 2018.

 

The double-daily schedule will provide greater choice to local passengers travelling between the capital cities of the UAE and Italy, and further increase connectivity to and from both countries.

 

The new early morning departure from Abu Dhabi and midday return service from Rome will offer links to popular cities across Australia, China, Japan and Korea.

 

With the additional service, Etihad Airways’ frequency between Abu Dhabi and its two Italian gateways of Rome and Milan will increase from two flights to three flights a day.

 

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said: “Ensuring our guests have greater flexibility and more travel options is a focus for Etihad Airways. Since we launched the Abu Dhabi – Rome route in 2014, it has become one of our most popular services for business and leisure travellers. We are therefore delighted to further develop the route with additional services.”

 

Etihad Airways’ codeshare partner Alitalia has announced that it will discontinue the operation of its daily flight between Rome and Abu Dhabi from 25 March 2018. Alitalia will however continue to codeshare with Etihad and will also place its code on the new Etihad flights. Guests holding reservations on Alitalia flights between Rome and Abu Dhabi and beyond will be re-accommodated on services operated by Etihad Airways. 

 

Flight schedule between Abu Dhabi and Rome from 25 March 2018: 

 

Flight No.	Origin	Departs	Destination	Arrives	Frequency	Aircraft
EY 83	Abu Dhabi	08:45	Rome	13:00	Daily	Boeing 777-300
EY 84	Rome	22:00	Abu Dhabi	05:50 +1	Daily	Boeing 777-300
EY 85	Abu Dhabi	02:35	Rome	07:05	Daily*	Airbus A330-200
EY 86	Rome	11:15	Abu Dhabi	19:20	Daily*	Airbus A330-200

 

Note: All departures and arrivals are listed in local time.

+ denotes next day

 

*Tuesday and Thursday services will operate from 1 May 2018