A new connection between the United Arab Emirates and Japan is blossoming on the horizon. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways announced a new route launch to its second Japanese destination, Osaka, this October, further connecting one of the world's most culturally vibrant cities to its continually expanding global network.

Etihad Airways greets konnichiwa to Osaka

Scheduled to commence on October 1st this year, Etihad Airways will ambitiously operate five weekly flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Osaka's Kansai International Airport. The airline will utilize its massive fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, and based on the booking website, only the two-class configured widebodies will be used.

With 28 seats in business class and another 271 in economy class, the airline will ferry approximately 1,495 passengers weekly to the third-largest city in Japan. And the flight schedule for this new non-stop route is as follows:

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The introduction of flight services to Osaka will also support the growing trade and tourism ties between the countries and add to the airline's existing Abu Dhabi-Tokyo service by providing another gateway to Japan, as highlighted by Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, Antonoaldo Neves,

"We’re delighted to introduce flights to Osaka for the first time. As one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, passengers will enjoy exploring its heritage and sampling some of Osaka’s renowned hospitality. Equally, the new route opens up Abu Dhabi to visitors from Osaka, and we look forward to welcoming guests to our vibrant home and giving them access to our growing, global network.”

More new routes are coming this summer

Commencing flights to Osaka this October is just one of several new route launches that Etihad Airways has added for passengers this year, including another exciting launch also happening on October 1st, as the airline will inaugurate non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi and Copenhagen and also to Düsseldorf.

Both of the new European routes will utilize the two-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, and the flight schedules are as follows:

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But given how far away October seems, fret not, as Etihad Airways also has a summer schedule full of relatively new routes. Besides returning to Mykonos-Manto Mavrogenous Airport and Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport on June 16th and 18th, the airline will land at Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport for the first time on July 2nd.

Once again, the two-class widebodies will be used for the non-stop flight services to Lisbon. The flight schedules are as follows:

Bottom line

Etihad Airways carried over 10 million passengers last year and set a goal to transport even more this year. And with one new route launch after another and consistent frequency upgrades for its existing routes in Asia, Europe, and North America, it is clear that the Gulf carrier is on a rapid network expansion to make its year-end goal a success.

What do you think of Etihad Airways' recent expansions? Where should the airline fly next? Let us know in the comments below.

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  Etihad Airways

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  EY/ETD

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Abu Dhabi International Airport

  Year Founded:

  2003

  CEO:

  Tony Douglas

  Country:

  United Arab Emirates