Etihad begins maiden flight to Basra

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, on Monday launched its inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi to Basra in southern Iraq. Flight EY553 took off from Abu Dhabi airport at 9.45am and landed on schedule at Basra International Airport at 10.50am. The new Airbus A320 service, with 16 Pearl Business class seats and 120 seats in Coral Economy class, will operate four times a week from April 15. “These new services are an important step for Etihad Airways and for the UAE, reflecting a commitment to strengthening ties in the region,” Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan, said.