Etihad Airways recently enhanced its presence in East Africa with launch of new services between Dar es Salaam and Abu Dhabi.
The inaugural flight was welcomed at Julius Nyerere International Airport with a water-cannon salute, and a troupe of traditional Tanzanian dancers.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the occasion, which was attended by Dr Shaaban Mwinjaka, permanent secretary, Tanzanian Ministry of Transport, Dr Adelhelm James Meru, permanent secretary Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources, HE Mbarouk Nassor Mbarouk, Tanzanian ambassador to UAE, HE Abdullah Ibrahim Al Suwaidi, UAE ambassador to Tanzania, Daniel Barranger, Etihad Airways’ senior vice president – global sales, and Engineer Thomas Haule, director, Julius Nyerere International Airport.
Dar es Salaam is the airline’s third departure point in East Africa, along with Nairobi and Entebbe. The new route will be operated by a two-class Airbus A320 aircraft with 16 seats in business class and 120 seats in economy class.
Barranger said: “The new flight to Dar es Salaam is consistent with our strategy of targeting areas of strong growth in emerging markets. Not only does this service provide guests with direct access to an exciting new business and tourism destination, it also further strengthens our presence in East Africa and across the African continent.”
Etihad Airways plans to launch to Rabat in Morocco by mid-January 2016.
