Etihad Airways will re-introduce connectivity to Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode in Kerala from the New Year’s Day of January 2024. The frequency to Chennai and Kochi will increase by 21 flights per week, which means daily thrice the airline will fly in-between Abu Dhabi to both these destinations. The total number of flights to three Kerala destinations will be 35 flights per week from January 2024 onward
By adding these two more destinations, Etihad Airways’ Indian network to and from Abu Dhabi will be a total of 194 flights each week, which covers Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Thiruvananthapuram international airports.
Once Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala- God’s Own Country was the most sought-after destination of the airline with a double daily connection to the world through its Abu Dhabi hub. Since Etihad Airways’ first flight to Kerala on 31 May 2007 when it introduced services to Thiruvananthapuram, followed two days later by the inaugural Kochi flight, the airline has flown almost 3.5 million guests to and from the state during that period. The Kozhikode route was launched on 1 August 2008. But later the airline terminated the flights to both Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.
Key destinations for travellers from Kerala include Abu Dhabi, the Gulf region, London, various European gateways including Frankfurt, Milan, and US destinations including New York and Chicago.
“As we embark on Etihad’s next chapter targeting growth, our ambitious network and improved connectivity allow us to better serve Abu Dhabi and our valued guests, forming the basis of our future expansion while providing flexibility and freedom to adapt to new opportunities and markets,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways.
“By offering more travel options and seamless connections, we aim to attract an increasing number of visitors to Abu Dhabi, propelling economic growth for the city while enriching the travel experience for our passengers.”
The three international airports in Kerala have been a core part of Etihad Airways’ Indian operations over the past two decades and a global network that now spans cities across all continents. The ever-growing expatriates from Kerala and the state’s international appeal as a famed tourism destination, especially for ayurvedic treatments and the world-renowned backwaters, have elevated it into one of India’s top tourist destinations.
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