Etihad starts three weekly flights to Tripoli

Etihad Airways conducted its maiden flight from Abu Dhabi to Tripoli on Tuesday, the airline's first new destination of 2012. The service, which will operate three times a week, is the sole direct commercial flight between the UAE and Libya's capital. Inaugural flight EY687 departed Abu Dhabi at 7:45am and touched down at 12:15pm local time. On board the Airbus A330 were UAE Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash, former UAE ambassador to Libya Saeed Obaid Al Kaabi, current ambassador Sultan Rashid Al Kaytoub, and UAE Head of Economic Affairs Jasem Mohammad Al Qasimi. Etihad Airways Chief Operating Officer Richard Hill piloted the aircraft. Other Etihad Airways staff included Senior Vice-President for Government and Aeropolitical Affairs Khalid Gaith Al Mehairbi, Senior Vice-President of Executive Affairs and Corporate Security Hasan Al Hammadi and Vice-President of UAE Sales Hareb Mubarak Al Muhairy. Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said: "Libya is a beautiful country that over the coming months and years will have much to offer both business and leisure travellers. Tripoli is Etihad Airways' fifth African destination and marks the first time these two Arab capitals have been commercially linked by air." UK-based aviation analyst Saj Ahmad said: "With Libya devoid of its own national airline operating, Etihad is stepping into a void that will yield significant revenue in the absence of competition. UAE airlines, both full and low cost, will no doubt look to make their presence felt, especially since infighting in the country has receded and economic growth opportunities start to increase. "This for me is just the start of meaningful and sustained expansion by UAE-based carriers." Training partnership Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Etihad Airways announced a training partnership during the proceedings of the IATA-AACO Aeropolitical Affairs Forum in Abu Dhabi in a joint effort to develop the human capital of the aviation industry in the region. This training partnership will commence with the implementation of the Airline Customer Service programme and will extend to other fields in aviation, cargo, travel and tourism.