KATHMANDU: Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, commenced operations to Japan on February 2 with the launch of its Nagoya-Abu Dhabi service. According to the airways, Nepalis now can easily travel to Japan on this route.

Etihad will initially fly four times a week to Nagoya, via Beijing, increasing to five flights a week from 29 March, operating two-class Airbus A330 aircraft on the route.

Etihad Airways chief executive officer James Hogan said: “These new services, our first to Japan, are very important to Etihad. We believe the connection between Abu Dhabi and Nagoya will offer opportunities for tourism as well as

foster commercial growth and benefit key industries — particularly energy,

environmental services and manufacturing, for which Nagoya is becoming a

centre of excellence.” Etihad will expand its Japan

operations with the launch of Abu Dhabi-Tokyo services on March 27. With the

addition of Nagoya and Tokyo to its network, Etihad offers services to eight

destinations in the Far East (including Beijing, Jakarta, Manila, Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur) and 60 worldwide.

In addition to its own operations, Etihad will also offer codeshare services with Japan’s ANA from March 1, offering connections for Etihad passengers from Nagoya to Chitose and Fukuoka and through Tokyo’s Narita Airport to Osaka. For ANA passengers, connections to Etihad’s worldwide network is via its Abu Dhabi hub.

In addition to codesharing, a mileage tie-up programme and combination of passenger services will be implemented as part of the agreement. Established seven years ago, Etihad Airways will launch its 60th destination in 2010.