DFW international expansion continues with new Etihad service

DFW AIRPORT, TX – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport today welcomed Etihad Airways and its new service from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) with DFW’s traditional “shower of affection” water cannon salute from the Airport’s Department of Public Safety. Etihad Airways now offers direct service between Abu Dhabi and DFW with Boeing 777-200LR aircraft operating three days per week on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with daily service scheduled to start on April 16, 2015.

The flight is estimated to bring in an additional $90 million to the North Texas economy with three times a week service, and about $200 million per year once daily service begins.

“DFW welcomes Etihad Airways. Another important milestone for the airport, today’s launch of nonstop service between DFW and Abu Dhabi means DFW is now host to one of the fastest growing and highly regarded airlines in the world,” said Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW Airport. “With more than $320 million in total trade last year with the UAE just through DFW, the new route opens the door for additional economic opportunity for North Texas, and it will also open new avenues of tourism and cultural exchange that benefit our customers. We’re pleased to add another international destination and carrier to DFW Airport’s growing international business connecting more than 50 destinations around the world.”

The new service continues DFW’s recent wave of international expansion, as the Airport has added 18 new international destinations in the past four years. With the addition of the new Etihad service, DFW now hosts 23 airlines and 55 direct international destinations and continues to be only one of seven airports in the world with over 200 direct destinations.

“Etihad Airways is pleased to introduce Dallas/Fort Worth as our sixth destination served within the United States,” said James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways. “We appreciate the strong response and support we have received from the DFW International Airport and the communities of Dallas and Fort Worth, which led to our planned increase in frequency to include nonstop daily flights, beginning April 2015.”

Unique about the service from Abu Dhabi to DFW is that arriving passengers can be pre-screened by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before boarding their flight in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is one of only a few airports outside of the United States to offer an onsite U.S. CBP facility. Once cleared by CBP in Abu Dhabi, travelers check their baggage to their final U.S. destination. Upon landing at DFW, passengers can proceed directly to their next connection or destination without having to process through DFW’s Customs and Immigration Hall, because they were pre-cleared in Abu Dhabi.

DFW Airport Chief Executive Officer Sean Donohue and His Excellency Abdulla Alsaboosi, Consul General of the United Arab Emirates, along with other airport and airline representatives, welcomed the inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi. More than 200 passengers on the returning flight to Abu Dhabi enjoyed traditional Middle Eastern refreshments, décor and music before departing.

Founded in 2003 as the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways has been named “World’s Leading Airline” at the World Travel Awards for five consecutive years.