Etihad Airways will become the first airline from the Gulf region to fly to Belarus when the Abu Dhabi-based carrier launches its twice weekly flights to the country’s capital, Minsk, on 5 August.
The new air link is anticipated to significantly boost the trade links and investment ties between the UAE and Belarus with the volume of trade between the two countries standing at more than US$30-40 million per year.
“To make history as the first airline from the Gulf region to fly to Belarus is a great honour for Etihad Airways,” said Etihad Airways’ chief executive, James Hogan. We are extremely excited at the prospect of helping to strengthen further the trade ties between the two countries through the launch of our new Minsk service.”
The announcement of the launch date coincides with a planned visit to Belarus by a high-level delegation of business leaders from the UAE to examine opportunities for trade and investment between the two countries.
Etihad will serve Minsk with one of its new Airbus A319 aircraft.