New Abu Dhabi to Minsk Service - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

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New Abu Dhabi to Minsk Service
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Posted by: Raspberry

June 17, 2008
Etihad Airways will become to the first airline from the Gulf region to fly to Belarus when the Abu Dhabi-based carrier launches its twice weekly flights to the country’s capital, Minsk, on 5 August 2008.

The new air link is anticipated to boost significantly the trade links and investment ties between the UAE and Belarus with the volume of trade between the two countries standing at more than US $30-40 million (Dhs110-150 million) per year.

It also follows talks held in Abu Dhabi last year between His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: “To make history as the first airline from the Gulf region to fly to Belarus is a great honour for Etihad Airways. We are extremely excited at the prospect of helping to strengthen further the trade ties between the two countries through the launch of our new Minsk service.”

The announcement of the launch date coincides with a planned visit to Belarus by a high-level delegation of business leaders from the UAE to examine opportunities for trade and investment between the two countries.

His Excellency Vladimir Sulimsky, ambassador of the Republic of Belarus in the UAE, said: “We look forward to welcoming Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, to our capital city. There is a real appetite for business between our two countries which is sure to be boosted by the launch of this new, non-stop service between our two capital cities.”

Etihad will serve Minsk with one of its new Airbus A319 aircraft every Tuesday and Thursday with a third weekly flight will be added every Saturday from October 2008. The A319 is configured to carry 104 passengers with 20 in business class and 84 in economy class. Flight EY061 will depart Abu Dhabi on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9.45am and arrive in Minsk at 2.25pm the same day. The return flight, EY062, will depart Minsk on the same days at 3.15pm, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 9.40pm.

Located in Eastern Europe, Belarus borders Russia to the north and east, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the north. Minsk is the largest city in the country, with a population of 1.8 million.

Most of Belarus' population of 9.85 million reside in the urban areas surrounding Minsk and other regional capitals. Minsk is the country’s major industrial centre with more than 250 factories and manufacturing plants.

With a central location in the heart of Europe, a rich cultural heritage and stunning scenery, Belarus is also seeking to exploit its strong tourism potential.

Source: Etihad Airways

Posted by: AkMike

Wow!! I'm sure that this is exciting news for an estimated 57% of the RMP members..
That sure beats humping north on a camel for weeks trying to find an airport with any connections to anywhere in Europe..

Posted by: deccie

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkMike

Wow!! I'm sure that this is exciting news for an estimated 57% of the RMP members..
That sure beats humping north on a camel for weeks trying to find an airport with any connections to anywhere in Europe..

You just managed to confirm your complete ignorance of the region Mike.

Dubai airport is MASSIVE and is expanding all the time.

Predicted turn over for Dubai AIRPORT Duty Free next year is approaching 1 BILLION dollars US. Predicted passenger numbers passing through is 40 Million people.

Posted by: stevo

Quote:

Originally Posted by deccie

You just managed to confirm your complete ignorance of the region Mike.
Dubai airport is MASSIVE and is expanding all the time.

Funnily enough, when I read this story I thought somebody must have a lot of money to throw away. It's hard to imagine these flights carrying more than a handful of people. I'd be very surprised if the planned third flight a week ever comes about.

Posted by: Cheburashka

Stevo, Google some of the great hotels there and try to make a reservation. You will be amazed how full they stay. That is why they are building so many so fast.

A.D. is a hoppin' place right now. And not just for sand soaked camel jockeys...but the power elite worldwide.

Posted by: AkMike

Hey .. Pay attention to the first sentance in my post. It's a haha about all the spammers here.. Get a grip.

Posted by: stevo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheburashka

Stevo, Google some of the great hotels there and try to make a reservation. You will be amazed how full they stay. That is why they are building so many so fast.

I'm not disputing that at all, but who in Belarus could afford to go to Abu Dhabi, and who in Abu Dhabi would want to go to Belarus?

Posted by: goforit

Perhaps someone from Abu Dhabi looking for a Belarussian woman?

Posted by: deccie

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo

I'm not disputing that at all, but who in Belarus could afford to go to Abu Dhabi, and who in Abu Dhabi would want to go to Belarus?

Actually there seems to be quite a bit of contact between the UAE and other GCC countries and many countries of the FSU. Both times i have been to the Russian embassy here there were quite a few Arabs getting Visas and none was going to the big places like Moscow or St Petersburg. Most seemed to be going to the Sakhalin Islands. In fact i think there was even an article in one of the papers here about some business relationship beign setup between Oman and Belarus. Don't know the details.

Posted by: stevo

To respond to both of those last posts in one go, I don't think either of those scenarios would justify two or three flights per week! We'll see how long the service lasts.

Posted by: Cheburashka

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo

We'll see how long the service lasts.

Amen! One thing is for sure stevo, if there is no money in it, it won't last long. Airlines aren't stupid when it is a matter of economic survival.

Posted by: EasyTarget

Etihad Airways is one of the best run airlines in the Middle East. They have one of the most ingenious and best run frequent flyer program. There must be a demand otherwise they wouldn't have started the route. Just take a look at the local news and you can see that most airlines are reducing routes not expanding.

I would be really curious to know what is generating the demand?

Posted by: deccie

Agreed. My experience is the same with Emirates running a close second.
Gulf Air is one of the worst... with QATAR not too far "behind".

Anyone else see the pics for the Etihad accident in Toulouse?
An A340 under testing got put through a concrete barrier...