Etihad Airways today launched daily flights – Abu Dhabi and Kolkata

Etihad Airways today launched daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Kolkata (Calcutta), the airline’s 11th destination in India on its own, and its 15th destination in combination with network partner Jet Airways.

Flight EY256 departed Etihad Airways’ hub at 11:10 and is scheduled to land at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport in the West Bengal capital at 17:20 this afternoon (all local times).

Upon arrival in Kolkata, passengers will receive a garland of flowers and a cake cutting ceremony will take place at the arrival gate.

Neerja Bhatia, Etihad Airways’ General Manager – India, Craig Thomas, Etihad Airways’ Regional General Manager Asia Pacific North and Indian Subcontinent (ISC) and Dr. B P Sharma, Airport Director of Airports Authority of India, will also host a special ribbon cutting at the gate.

Later on in the evening a traditional lamp lighting ceremony, to bring good luck, will take place at a reception for Kolkata travel industry representatives in the city.

The return flight EY255 will depart Kolkata at 18:20 this evening and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 22:30.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We’re delighted to add Kolkata, an economic powerhouse and Etihad Airways’ first destination in North Eastern India, to our flight network.

“This new service will support the growing demand from air travellers who are keen to fly between West Bengal and the Middle East, Europe and North America via our Abu Dhabi home base.”

Kolkata is the main commercial and financial hub of East and North-East India with a metropolitan population of approximately 14.1 million people. The city is home to the Kolkata Stock Exchange and has recently experienced a major economic rejuvenation driven by the expanding IT sector