Etihad Airways and airBaltic have announced that direct Riga-Abu Dhabi flights will commence from 16 December 2013
The announcement follows the signing of an agreement between the two airlines. Subject to regulatory approvals, airBaltic will operate the new four weekly return flights using a 116 seat Airbus A319 aircraft.
According to an Aviation Tribune report, the flights, with seating capacity for 14 business class and 102 economy class passengers, will operate on a split schedule, ensuring optimal connectivity over each airline?s respective hubs in Abu Dhabi and Riga.
Etihad Airways? pesident and chief executive officer James Hogan said, ?The trade, cultural and leisure ties between the UAE and Latvia have never been stronger and this new direct flight marks the start of our codeshare partnership with airBaltic and the linking of the capital cities of both countries by air for the very first time. It is also the first time we are able to offer Riga as an Etihad Airways codeshare destination.
?The new route will be of huge benefit to Latvian travellers visiting Abu Dhabi for business or leisure, in addition to offering seamless connections over our hub to destinations across the globe. In tandem, it will allow Etihad Airways to offer destinations flown by airBaltic beyond its Riga hub, particularly in northern and eastern Europe.?
