The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council was proud to support a reception celebrating the launch of Founding Member Etihad Airways new route linking Boston and Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, April 2nd at The Tower in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston is Etihad’s fourth destination in the United States, in addition to Chicago, New York, and Washington D.C., and continues to strengthen ties between the United States and the U.A.E.

Saud Al Nowais, Commercial Attaché at the U.A.E. Embassy in Washington, D.C., lauded the greater people to people connections enabled by the new route. He remarked that both Boston and Abu Dhabi are hubs for innovation and technology, and are working together in the healthcare and education sectors, noting there are over 200 Emirati students in the New England area. He highlighted Etihad Airways goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and the new jobs this route will bring to the United States and the U.A.E.

Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, applauded the Etihad team for their work to bring the Boston route to fruition, noting that the inaugural flight was nearly at full capacity. He highlighted Etihad’s goal to reach 160 cities by 2030 (from around 100 at present), along with their efforts toward sustainable expansion. Arik remarked on Boston’s unique ability to bring together people of different backgrounds, and spoke of his personal connection to the city.

Matthew Hatfield, Director of Airline Route Development at Massport, welcomed this new route, which is the 56th international destination from Logan International Airport. Last year, nearly 41 million passengers transited through Logan Airport. 

Etihad’s service to Boston will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and features the airline’s acclaimed Business Studios and Economy Smart seats.  For more information about this new route, please click here.

For questions about the Business Council’s work in the commercial aviation sector, please contact Amira Siddiqi at asiddiqi@usuaebusiness.org.