Calgary: Etihad Airways opens first non-stop route to Abu Dhabi

Calgary and Abu Dhabi now have a direct air link for the first time, after Etihad Airways’ inaugural flight on the route touched down in the Canadian city on Monday morning, the airline said in a statement.

Flight EY29 flew fully booked. Its arrival at Calgary International Airport was marked by a celebration attended by the Government of Alberta along with airport and tourism partners.

Etihad plans four weekly rotations on the route, all operated with its Boeing 787 Dreamliner, an aircraft fitted with the airline’s newest Business and Economy cabins.

The carrier said the new link draws Alberta closer to the UAE capital and to the wider Gulf region. Passengers from Western Canada will be able to connect through Abu Dhabi to destinations across the GCC, India, Asia and Africa, and Etihad said it expects the route to support tourism, trade and investment between the two sides.

Etihad pointed to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Saadiyat Island and the attractions of Yas Island as draws for Canadian visitors, who can also use its stopover programme to spend extra time in the Emirati capital.

Going the other way, the airline promoted Calgary as a gateway to the Canadian Rockies and to Banff and Jasper National Parks. It described the city as a major Canadian hub for energy, innovation and investment, one that is increasingly linking Canada and Alberta to global markets.