Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has resumed passenger flights between Abu Dhabi and Beijing on Thursday (Jun 30).
Etihad Airways’ inaugural flight EY888 landed in Beijing on June 30, becoming the first regular direct international passenger service to return to Beijing under the latest mandate of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council in response to Covid-19.
The flight is the first direct passenger service from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE to Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China, since 23 March 2020. On board, the flight were UAE diplomats, employees of Chinese enterprises with investments in the UAE, business travellers and students.
Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “It marks a significant moment in Etihad’s history as passenger flights resume to Beijing for the first time in over 800 days. The direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Beijing will undoubtedly facilitate the deepening of bilateral cooperation in various fields and promote stronger bonds among the people of the two nations.
“As global travel restrictions rapidly ease, Etihad is equipped to further increase operations to China and meet the rising demand from travellers in both locations to support the recovery of economic and social activities worldwide,” Douglas added.
Following the inaugural flight, the regular weekly service will commence on 6 July and will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring Business and Economy cabins.
Schedule effective from 6 July:
| Flight | Departure | Time | Arrival | Time | Aircraft | Date |
| EY 888 | Abu Dhabi | 1:00 | Beijing | 12:25 | Boeing 787-9 | Wednesday |
| EY 889 | Beijing | 18:35 | Abu Dhabi | 23:35 | Boeing 787-9 | Thursday |
