Etihad Airways celebrates 10 years in Ireland

UAE-based airline has carried more than two million people on Dublin-Abu Dhabi route

An Etihad Airbus A380 – the airline recently took delivery of 10 A380s. Photograph: Reuters
An Etihad Airbus A380 – the airline recently took delivery of 10 A380s. Photograph: Reuters

Etihad Airways is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Ireland this month after having operated flights to the Middle East since 2007.

The Abu Dhabi headquartered airline has welcomed more than two million passengers on the non-stop Dublin to Abu Dhabi route since it was launched.

The national airline of the United Arab Emirates has invested heavily in expanding its Irish presence and was the first to operate flights from Dublin's Terminal 2 in 2010. The airline also invested in a premium lounge in the terminal at a time when it was operating 10 flights a week with a total of 5,240 seats.

Additionally, the company has put money toward sponsorship opportunities, most notably in the form of its five-year deal with the GAA to sponsor the hurling All-Ireland senior championship.

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Beatrice Cosgrove, Etihad Airways general manager for Ireland, said the company looked forward to welcoming more air travellers in the future on its twice daily Dublin to Abu Dhabi route, which offers connections to a raft of destinations in Asia.

“We are very proud to celebrate this significant anniversary for the airline in Ireland. Since we first arrived in Dublin in 2007 our goal has been to give the best flight experience to Irish air travellers,” she added.

From its base in the UAE, the airline flies to about 110 destinations with its fleet of more than 120 aircraft. The carrier has another 204 aircraft on order and has recently taken delivery of its 10th and final Airbus A380, the largest passenger aircraft available.

Peter Hamilton

Peter Hamilton

Peter Hamilton is a contributor to The Irish Times specialising in business