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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

► SUDAN: Etihad bucks trend, boosts Khartoum flights to daily.

UAE carrier Etihad Airways (EY) has increased its service from Abu Dhabi to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum with the addition of two extra weekly flights bringing the frequency up from five flights per week to daily. Etihad operates a two-class cabin A320-200 to Khartoum, configured to carry 136 passengers, with 16 in business class and 120 in economy class.

Etihad A320 in Khartoum
Etihad A320 in Khartoum (Unknown)
The new services on Thursdays and Saturdays cater to the growing passenger demand between Sudan and Abu Dhabi and bucks the current trend by other airlines who have either reduced or abandoned the Khartoum route, KLM (KL) and Gulf Air (GF) in particular.

Etihad launched its services to the Sudanese capital in July 2006 with an initial three flights per week.

Etihad Airways(EY): Abu Dhabi - Khartoum
-Effective 03FEB2013
  • EY632 AUH0950 – 1310KRT 32S D
  • EY633 KRT1430 – 1915AUH 32S D
Source [AirlineRoute]

According to Reuters, until South Sudan's secession in 2011, foreign airlines enjoyed a bonanza as Sudan was "flush with billions of dollars of oil revenues and Khartoum, the capital, hosted thousands of aid workers, U.N. officials and diplomats."