DUBAI, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The Etihad Airways of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) supports its Chinese partners and Chinese markets amid the spread of COVID-19, says Etihad Aviation Group Chief Commercial Officer Robin Kamark.
"Whilst the spread of COVID-19 has posed a major challenge for all airlines serving China, with a massive drop in demand on key routes, we continue serving Beijing from Abu Dhabi presently, demonstrating our unwavering support and commitment to our Chinese partners and the Chinese market as a whole," said Kamark in a recent interview with Xinhua.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, was established in 2003 and has become one of the leading airlines in the Middle East.
The airline will transfer all its flights between Abu Dhabi and Beijing, and its flights between Beijing and Nagoya, Japan, to the new Beijing Daxing International Airport, starting June 1 this year.
"In October last year, Abu Dhabi Airports Company inked a sister-airport partnership with Beijing Daxing International Airport, which will strengthen the capital-to-capital link. Today, we are proud to announce that Etihad Airways will be one of the first airlines in the Mideast to move to Beijing's iconic Daxing International Airport," said Kamark.
Beijing Daxing International Airport, put into operation on Sept. 25, 2019, is expected to realize a passenger throughput of over 100 million a year in the future.
The terminal's major rail transportation links include high-speed rail, inter-city, and subway connections, providing Etihad's customers with greater air-rail connectivity across China, according to the officer.
"Since launching flights between Beijing and Abu Dhabi 12 years ago, we have experienced huge growth in China's tourism and aviation markets, and enjoyed strong demand from business and leisure travellers, and cargo," said Kamark.
By moving to Beijing Daxing International Airport, Etihad reinforces its commitment to the Chinese market and Chinese guests, and contributes to the promising bilateral relationship between two countries, said Kamark.
