More flights to Abu Dhabi

ETIHAD AIRWAYS, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, is adding two extra weekly services between Dublin and Abu Dhabi from December 13, providing a choice of six non-stop flights each week.

The extra 800 seats in and out of Dublin each week are in response to customer demand and the move is set to take place just six months after the airline’s first flight from Dublin to Abu Dhabi.

The additional capacity will open up a range of short and long-haul connections for Irish air travellers flying via Etihad’s home base.

Passengers will benefit from better connection times to a number of destinations across the airline’s network such as Amman, Damascus, Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, New Delhi, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Karachi, Dhaka, Bangkok and Sydney.

Beatrice Cosgrove, Etihad Airways’ Ireland manager, said: “The increase from four to six flights a week shows our commitment to develop the Etihad operation in Ireland and is proof we cater to the growing demand from business and leisure travellers for flights between these two capital cities.”

* DUE to an overwhelming response from Irish travellers, OzBus, the world’s first overland ‘bus’ service between London and Sydney, has announced that, from next year, there will be trips departing from Galway and Dublin to Sydney.

The 12-week trip will take in 20 countries, with highlights including Prague, Istanbul, tiger reserves in India, the Mount Everest region, Bali and Ayers Rock.

Founder Mark Creasey explained: “Since operations began earlier this year, the overall response has been fantastic, with bookings coming from all over the world.

“However, it is the Irish market that has surprised us most, with a disproportionate amount of interest coming from there.

“The trip is more than just an alternative way to get to Australia — it is an adventure in itself. I think the Irish, with their long tradition of travelling, appreciate this and it appeals to their own sense of adventure.”

For more information about OzBus, visit www.oz-bus.com.

* IRISH FERRIES has heralded the arrival of autumn with a €89 one-way fare to Britain for a car and driver, for travel on its Rosslare-Pembroke route from September 26 until December.

It is supported by a lead-in fare of €10 extra for travel between August 27 and September 25, with a €10 supplement applicable in both periods for travel on Ulysses, the Dublin-Holyhead cruise ferry.

Billed as yet another challenge to the low-cost airlines, the fare is bookable 28 days in advance, and includes all taxes and fuel charges.

Further information is available from Irish Ferries on 0818 300 400 or online at www.irishferries.com.