Etihad Airways commences flights to Tripoli

Tripoli - Jan 18, 2012 (WAM) - Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, operated its maiden flight from Abu Dhabi to Tripoli on Tuesday, the airline's first new destination of 2012. The service, which will operate three times a week, is the only direct commercial flight between the UAE and Libya's capital city. Inaugural flight EY687 departed Abu Dhabi at 07:45am and touched down at 12:15pm, local time. On board the two class Airbus A330 were UAE Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash, former UAE ambassador to Libya Saeed Obaid al Kaabi, current ambassador Sultan Rashid Al Kaytoub and UAE Head of Economic Affairs Jassim Mohamed Al Qasimi. Etihad Airways Chief Operating Officer Richard Hill piloted the aircraft. Other members of Etihad Airways staff included Senior Vice President Government and Aeropolitical Affairs Khaled Gaith al Mehairbi, Senior Vice President Executive Affairs and Corporate Security Hasan al Hammadi and Vice President UAE Sales Hareb Mubarak al Muhairy. Prominent UAE businessmen were also on the flight. - Emirates News Agency, WAM