Gulf carrier Etihad will be operating an additional 14 flights per week between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi from May 27.
Currently the Abu Dhabi-based airline operates 21 flights into Heathrow every week. But on and from May 27 the total will increase to 35 flights every week.
The additional flights are:
EY12 London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi 0935-1955 A380 aircraft
EY16 London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi 2120-0730 (following day) B787 aircraft
and…
EY9 Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow 0210-0645 A380 aircraft
EY25 Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow 1315-1755 B787 aircraft
These two particular Heathrow slots were originally owned by Etihad but had been leased to Jet Airways. When Jet Airways suspended Heathrow operations the slots were transferred back to Etihad.
Etihad’s third spare Heathrow slot is now being leased to Air Serbia as we reported earlier today.
However note that, at the time of writing, these additional flights are displayed through much of the summer period only.
There may be changes for the winter timetable which starts at the end of October.
You might wonder how Etihad will be able to fill all these extra seats.
Of course most customers will be transferring in Abu Dhabi for onward destinations to Asia, Africa and Australia.
But they will also be accommodating many Jet Airways travellers who, while Jet Airways is “suspended,” are holding tickets which cannot be used.
Now it lacks Heathrow slots it is doubtful Jet Airways will return to Heathrow.
Flights are displayed on the carrier’s website. And I must thank my twitter follower @SeanM1997 for this information.