Etihad Airways has added two new Indian cities to its community because the United Arab Emirates provider emphasizes its intention to develop providers within the burgeoning Indian air transport market.

On Jan. 1, the provider launched flights between its Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) base and each Kozhikode (CCJ) and Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) within the state of Kerala, India.

Both routes are scheduled to run day by day by way of Oct. 26, 2024, in response to an Etihad assertion.

The provider notes it now serves 10 locations in India, “underscoring the airline’s commitment” to increasing air journey “to and from the subcontinent.”

“We have established a fantastic group of nonstop routes between India and Abu Dhabi, providing customers with easier access to our growing network without transiting through one of the main Indian hub airports,” Etihad CEO CEO Antonoaldo Neves says. 

“Seamless and practical connections at Abu Dhabi ensure that [passengers from India] can easily access destinations across the [Middle East], Europe—including our four daily services to London—and North America.”

Neves has beforehand called India “a priority” for Etihad. 

The airline resumed flights from AUH to Kolkata in 2023, calling town “a vital Indian gateway connecting eastern India to global destinations.” Etihad says it has boosted frequencies from AUH to each New Delhi and Mumbai from 2X-daily to 4X-daily. 

Etihad says the brand new flights to CCJ and TRV will result in “increased inbound tourism” to Kerala, identified for its seashores. The airline provides the routes will even be engaging to “professionals visiting the burgeoning business hubs in the area.”