ABU DHABI, UAE — The Gulf carrier Etihad Airways announced that it would launch a new route between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Japan, starting from October 1, 2023.
After Tokyo, which the airline has served for over 13 years, Osaka will become the second Japanese destination offered by Etihad Airways. The airline plans to operate this new route five times per week with one of Etihad's Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The aircraft is set up in a two-class configuration, featuring 28 lie-flat seats in the business class and 271 seats in the economy class.
Flight EY830 is scheduled to leave AUH at 9:40 PM and touch down the next day at KIX at 11:55 AM, with flights planned for Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The return flight EY831 is set to depart KIX at 5:25 PM and arrive at AUH at 10:55 PM, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
With this new route, Etihad Airways will join the Dubai-based Emirates in providing flights to Osaka from the UAE. Emirates currently operates daily nonstop flights between Dubai International (DXB) and KIX, using a Boeing 777-300ER.
Etihad Airways' Chief Executive Officer, Antonoaldo Neves, expressed delight over the introduction of flights to Osaka. He stated that visitors would enjoy exploring the cultural heritage of one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities and would appreciate Osaka's renowned hospitality.
Furthermore, he added that the new route provides an opportunity for visitors from Osaka to explore Abu Dhabi, and the airline looks forward to welcoming guests to their dynamic home city and introducing them to their expanding global network.
