On December 2, 2021, on the day of the 13th anniversary of the start of flights from Abu Dhabi to Moscow, the state airline of the United Arab Emirates Etihad Airways performed an inaugural flight to Sheremetyevo International Airport on the «Abu Dhabi - Moscow - Abu Dhabi route».
On the occasion of the start of flights at Sheremetyevo airport, a ceremony was held with the participation of the UAE Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Mr. Mohammad Ahmad Sultan Ess Aljaber, Executive Director for Tourism and Marketing of the Department of Tourism and Culture of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Mr. Ali Al Shaib, General Director of SIA JSC M.M. Vasilenko, General Director of Etihad Aviation Group Mr. Tony Douglas, representatives of the senior management of SIA JSC and the airline.
Mikhail Vasilenko, General Director of SIA JSC, conducted an excursion for the UAE Ambassador to the Russian Federation, General Director of Etihad Aviation Group and other officials, acquainting guests with the technological features and service capabilities for passengers and the airline of Terminal C. Representatives of the top management of Etihad Airways were provided with the opportunity personally assess the level of service in the terminal that meets international standards.
The passengers of the first flight of Etihad Airways at Sheremetyevo Airport were provided with first-class service and the highest level of hospitality in an atmosphere of cordiality. Passengers flying to Abu Dhabi were greeted with a ceremonial registration for the flight, and branded gifts from the airline were presented on board.
Mikhail Vasilenko, General Director of SIA JSC, noted: “The choice of Sheremetyevo by the national airline Etihad Airways for flights to the capital of Russia is the highest honor for the entire staff of the airport. We are ready to provide the airline's customers with the maximum level of punctuality, comfort and high quality of service. I hope that cooperation between Sheremetyevo Airport and Etihad Airways will develop for the benefit of our passengers, peoples and countries, promoting good mutually beneficial tourism, business, cultural and humanitarian relations between the United Arab Emirates and Russia.”
Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “After 13 years connecting our two capital cities, Abu Dhabi and Moscow, we’re delighted to move to Russia’s newest and most sophisticated airport, providing better connectivity for guests across the country to Abu Dhabi and Etihad’s global network. Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE have grown to become one of Russia’s most popular tourist hotspot over the last few years. Our move to Terminal C Sheremetyevo, the introduction of our flagship 787 Dreamliner and increased daily flight schedule provides Russian holiday makers and business travellers with even more opportunity to visit the UAE’s year-round sunshine, beaches and warm weather.”
The opening of regular flights of Etihad Airways from Sheremetyevo Airport will satisfy the needs of travelers wishing to visit the UAE, thanks to an increase in the number of connections from cities in Russia and the CIS. Daily flights between the UAE and Moscow will provide convenient connections to popular business and tourist destinations across the entire Etihad route network via Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Airways' passengers are serviced at Terminal C - the most modern and high-tech in Russia. The airline's customers will be able to take advantage of a wide range of services and facilities, including a mother and child room, equipped children's corners in various areas of the terminal, a comfortable Orion lounge for passengers with disabilities (which is located in a sterile zone), and a cozy sleep and relaxation room. Business travelers have the opportunity to comfortably spend time in the luxury VIP-hall or the Malevich business-hall with a panoramic view of the airfield, as well as visit other halls. In Terminal C, strict compliance with anti-epidemic measures is ensured to protect the health of passengers and guests of the airport, PCR testing points for COVID-19 are functioning.
Terminal C is combined with Terminal B into a single high-tech terminal complex, which ensures prompt service and the most convenient conditions for transfer passengers.
Flights on the Moscow - Abu Dhabi - Moscow route are operated from Sheremetyevo every day (arrival at 14:25 Moscow time, departure at 15:50 Moscow time) on modern comfortable Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and Airbus A321 airliners.
