Etihad moving to T1 in Dublin on Jan 24, Dublin to Abu Dhabi returns to A330 double daily from April 1

• Etihad moving to T1 from January 24
• Dublin to Abu Dhabi returns to  double daily from April 1
• A330-200 in 22-240 configuration
• Frees up widebody space for Aer Lingus expansion

Etihad Airways will switch its existing Dublin flights from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 from January 24, freeing up valuable wide body stand capacity for the proposed Aer Lingus expansion.

The Dublin to Abu Dhabi route  is to return to double daily on the from April 1 2017.

Etihad say this move follows extensive investment in passenger and retail facilities in the terminal by airport operator DAA.

Etihad’s €1m lounge at Dublin is located in Terminal 2 but is closest of the three lounges in the terminal to the wide body gates on the old Pier B, the 300 gates.

The move follows criticism by Willie Walsh, Sttephen Kavanagh and others that widebody capacity at Terminal 2 will be stretched to its limits by Aer Lingus’ expansion plans in 2017.

The flight was reduced to single daily in September but will return to double daily on the Abu Dhabi-based carrier’s 10^th anniversary of flying to the Irish capital.

Operating with a two-class Airbus A330-200 in 22-240 configuration, offering greater connectivity to key markets across the Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent, Asia and Australia.

Key destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Manila, and daily connections to markets such as Brisbane, Perth, Beijing, Tokyo and Phuket.

Etihad said the extra capacity will provide a boost to tourism in Ireland, with visitors from around the world benefitting from a greater choice of flights for a short or long break in a country known for its warmth and hospitality. More frequencies will also double cargo capacity each week to facilitate greater movement of international freight to and from Dublin.

Etihad Airways recently hosted a delegation of officials from Tourism Ireland led by CEO Niall Gibbons as part of a travel trade incentive roadshow for UAE agents to promote holidays to Ireland. Tourism Ireland estimates 65,000 visitors travelled from the UAE to Ireland in 2015, representing an 18 per cent growth over the previous year.

Kevin Knight, Etihad Aviation Group Chief Strategy and Planning Officer, said: “This is a commitment to the Irish market and demonstrates our confidence to dedicate capacity throughout the year on a route that has enjoyed tremendous support from travel partners. It also reflects our strategy to offer more flexibility, greater convenience and increased choice.”

Vincent Harrison, Dublin Airport Managing Director, said: “Since Etihad Airways launched the route in 2007, Dublin has been a hugely popular destination in its network, and the return to a double daily service will be welcomed by both business and leisure travellers. It is good news for Irish tourism and also for those travelling to Abu Dhabi and beyond with Etihad’s excellent connectivity to the Middle East, Africa and Asia. We have been improving the departures and arrivals areas in T1 and have also recently enhanced the boarding gate facilities and the retail experience. We look forward to welcoming Etihad to its new Dublin home from early next year.”

Beatrice Cosgrove, Etihad Airways General Manager Ireland, said: “With our enhanced schedules from next April, we will be able to provide excellent new connections for travellers from Ireland to many more destinations in our network via Abu Dhabi. The expansion comes as we celebrate 10 years of flying on the route and welcome more guests to enjoy our fine hospitality and service.”

Double daily flight schedule between Abu Dhabi and Dublin, beginning 1 April 2017:

Note: All departures and arrivals are listed in local time.