Etihad Airways will launch flights to the Russian capital, Moscow, from its Abu Dhabi home base on 1 December and with flights to the Kazakhstan capital, Almaty, commencing the following day.
The five flights a week Moscow and four flights a week Almaty services are set to follow on from the highly successful launch of Etihad flights to the Belarus capital Minsk which started on 5 August 2008.
"Russia represents a key emerging market for Etihad. The country’s recent economic development is creating an increasingly affluent population with a huge appetite to access Abu Dhabi’s property market and growing leisure attractions," according to James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive.
"In addition, Abu Dhabi provides an ideal launch pad for Russian-based air travellers keen to access the growing number of international destinations now served by Etihad Airways."