Etihad launches Dhaka service with sold-out inaugural flight

Dhaka: Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, launched its inaugural flight to Dhaka on June 26, operating a sold-out Boeing 777 to the Bangladeshi capital.

Flight EY382 departed Abu Dhabi at 10:00 pm on June 26 and arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport the following morning.

The new service operates four weekly flights with Etihad's Boeing 777 aircraft, offering 28 lie-flat business and 374 economy class seats.

Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves said the fully booked inaugural flight reflects the strength of the bond between the UAE and Bangladesh and the sustained demand across both passenger and cargo segments on the route.

He added that the UAE is home to one of the largest Bangladeshi communities in the world, and the service offers a direct link for families in both countries as well as a gateway for the Bangladeshi diaspora across the GCC, North America, and the UK traveling via Abu Dhabi.

Beyond passenger demand, the route's widebody belly-hold capacity supports cargo movement for Bangladesh's globally significant garment and textile sector.

The new capacity gives exporters improved access to markets across the Middle East, Europe, and North America, with Abu Dhabi serving as a key gateway between South Asia and Etihad's global network.

Passengers traveling via Abu Dhabi can take advantage of Etihad's stopover program, which allows them to break up their journey and explore the UAE capital before continuing onward.

Visitors can experience the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the recently opened Zayed National Museum, alongside the city's beaches, dining, and waterfront attractions, before connecting onward across Etihad's network.

With Dhaka now part of its network, Etihad said it continues to strengthen its presence across South Asia, building on routes that connect the region's communities and industries to the world through Abu Dhabi.