Etihad Airways will increase the frequency of its Abu Dhabi-Chengdu service from five flights per week to daily later this month.

The airline launched flights to the capital of southwest China’s Sichuan province on 15 December 2011, marking the first connection between Chengdu and the UAE. And Etihad revealed that passenger traffic on the route surged 25% last year compared to 2012 levels, prompting the frequency increase.

From 30 March 2014, the airline will offer daily direct flights to Chengdu, using its two-class, 262-seat Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

“With consistent double-digit growth in passenger and cargo volumes, Chengdu represents a great opportunity,” said James Hogan, Etihad’s president & CEO.

“Operating a daily service will provide our guests with even more convenient service to Abu Dhabi as well as key markets in the GCC, Middle East, North Africa and Europe. In addition, our expanded service will further stimulate economic growth between China and the UAE.”

Chengdu is one of three mainland Chinese cities served by Etihad, along with Beijing and Shanghai.

Source from <Travel Daily Asia>