Fly2CHC From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (4 years 11 months 1 week 6 hours ago) and read 3382 times:
Effective August flight will operate with A319 on Tu & Thu dep AUH 0945 arr MSQ 1425 (5hrs 40mins), returning same days dep MSQ 1515 arr AUH 2140 (5hrs 25mins)
EHCPH From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (4 years 11 months 1 week 4 hours ago) and read 3121 times:
What a stange route indeed!
I don't see any significant leisure traffic from MSQ as it is still very closed. I can only think of very few reason why they would operate this route such as lots of belarusians working in AUH or maybe some big firm from AUH investing is MSQ and have made some kind of commitment to Etihad...
There is no info on Etihads website and it is not bookable there, however it is loaded in the travel agents booking systems.
Jacobin777 From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 14968 posts, RR: 61 Reply 9, posted (4 years 11 months 1 week 2 hours ago) and read 2913 times:
Quoting PRGLY (Reply 5): Don t forget that one of Abu Dhabi sheik s married belorussian girl, and the reason is obvious
..maybe that has allowed an easing of business as well as more business opportunities..
EHCPH From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (4 years 11 months 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 2466 times:
It is official now as Eithad have issued the below press release:
Etihad to launch Minsk service in August
17-06-2008
Etihad Airways will become to 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 2008.
The new air link is anticipated to boost significantly 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 (Dhs110-150 million) per year.
It also follows talks held in Abu Dhabi last year between His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: “To make history as the first airline from the Gulf region to fly to Belarus is a great honour for Etihad Airways. 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.
His Excellency Vladimir Sulimsky, ambassador of the Republic of Belarus in the UAE, said: “We look forward to welcoming Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, to our capital city. There is a real appetite for business between our two countries which is sure to be boosted by the launch of this new, non-stop service between our two capital cities.”
Etihad will serve Minsk with one of its new Airbus A319 aircraft every Tuesday and Thursday with a third weekly flight will be added every Saturday from October 2008. The A319 is configured to carry 104 passengers with 20 in business class and 84 in economy class. Flight EY061 will depart Abu Dhabi on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9.45am and arrive in Minsk at 2.25pm the same day. The return flight, EY062, will depart Minsk on the same days at 3.15pm, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 9.40pm.
Located in Eastern Europe, Belarus borders Russia to the north and east, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the north. Minsk is the largest city in the country, with a population of 1.8 million.
Most of Belarus' population of 9.85 million reside in the urban areas surrounding Minsk and other regional capitals. Minsk is the country’s major industrial centre with more than 250 factories and manufacturing plants.
With a central location in the heart of Europe, a rich cultural heritage and stunning scenery, Belarus is also seeking to exploit its strong tourism potential.
JoFMO From Germany, joined Jul 2004, 2211 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (4 years 11 months 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 2362 times:
Quoting EHCPH (Reply 11): With a central location in the heart of Europe, a rich cultural heritage and stunning scenery, Belarus is also seeking to exploit its strong tourism potential.
Don't get me wrong, but Belarus is considered the last dictatorship in Europe, so good luck with turism....
Zvezda From Lithuania, joined Aug 2004, 10511 posts, RR: 66 Reply 13, posted (4 years 11 months 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 2334 times:
Quoting JoFMO (Reply 12): Belarus is considered the last dictatorship in Europe
Compared to Moldova, another european dictatorship, Belarus has a better business environment, better human rights record, and far more for tourists to see. The only european dictatorship with better tourism prospects than Belarus is Russia.
RAFVC10 From Spain, joined Sep 2005, 1980 posts, RR: 8 Reply 14, posted (4 years 11 months 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 2315 times:
Quoting Fly2CHC (Thread starter): Effective August flight will operate with A319 on Tu & Thu dep AUH 0945 arr MSQ 1425 (5hrs 40mins), returning same days dep MSQ 1515 arr AUH 2140 (5hrs 25mins)
Hi Fly2CHC,
the two A319 that EY has on it's fleet are ex-Privatair aircrafts. Do you know if are configured in VIP version? How many seats x aircraft?
Regards,
Gerard
El dia que los gilipollas vuelen, no podremos ver la luz del sol!
Addd From United States of America, joined May 2007, 397 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (4 years 11 months 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 2314 times:
Quoting Zvezda (Reply 13): The only european dictatorship with better tourism prospects than Belarus is Russia.
Well said (and this is coming from a Russian)...
Minsk is an odd destination indeed - Almaty and Moscow (which Etihad, to my knowledge, has not announced yet) would be in completely different league, however - both Russian and Kazakh economies are booming propelled by sky-high commodity prices, there is obvious oil link, UAE is already well positioned as a tourist destination in both countries, and there is a good potential for high-yield business traffic to/from ALA and MOW connecting through AUH to other points in EY network (ALA in particular is underserved in that regard at the moment).... but Minsk? Why not Kiev (KBP), for that matter?
Ronerone From Jordan, joined Aug 2004, 1541 posts, RR: 54 Reply 17, posted (4 years 11 months 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 2219 times:
Quoting Addd (Reply 15): Almaty and Moscow (which Etihad, to my knowledge, has not announced yet)
Etihad announced Almaty, Minsk, and Moscow together. James Hogan first announced these three destinations at the last CAPA Middle East Outlook Summit in Abu Dhabi a few months back. While at the time these destinations were announced, no schedules have been confirmed apart from the current MSQ service.
One of the main reasons for this political route is because Abu Dhabi Airports Company, as an airport operator is in its very last stages (if not already finalized) in signing a management contract to operate Minsk Airport (with also the possibility for running Brest Airport as well).
Addd From United States of America, joined May 2007, 397 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (4 years 11 months 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 2184 times:
Quoting Ronerone (Reply 17): One of the main reasons for this political route is because Abu Dhabi Airports Company, as an airport operator is in its very last stages (if not already finalized) in signing a management contract to operate Minsk Airport
Ah... I had no idea. Well, that's at least one reasonable explanation - although whether that alone warrants a twice-weekly scheduled service remains anyone's guess.
Viscount724 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2006, 21460 posts, RR: 24 Reply 19, posted (4 years 11 months 6 days ago) and read 2141 times:
Quoting JoFMO (Reply 12): Don't get me wrong, but Belarus is considered the last dictatorship in Europe, so good luck with tourism....
I don't think most tourists pay much attention to the type of government. Cuba gets millions of tourists despite it's dictatorship, as did Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina and many others when they were dictatorships.
YAK42 From Ireland, joined Oct 2000, 796 posts, RR: 7 Reply 20, posted (4 years 11 months 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 2087 times:
Quoting Ronerone (Reply 17): (with also the possibility for running Brest Airport as well).
Is that airport open? I think it was closed for a while.
Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 19): I don't think most tourists pay much attention to the type of government. Cuba gets millions of tourists despite it's dictatorship, as did Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina and many others when they were dictatorships.
Agreed! Lack of democracy makes little difference to tourists. Hostilities and violence or political estrangement between the country and the tourists countries' however will stop the tourists from coming.
Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 19): Quoting JoFMO (Reply 12):
Don't get me wrong, but Belarus is considered the last dictatorship in Europe, so good luck with tourism....
I don't think most tourists pay much attention to the type of government. Cuba gets millions of tourists despite it's dictatorship, as did Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina and many others when they were dictatorships.
Very true. The sad fact is that even if Belarus were a model democracy, there still would still be precious little to do there for a tourist - there is just not much to see there... and EVERY neigbouring country beats Belarus in this department by a country mile (no offense to Belarussians on this forum ) So, dictatorship or not, the route will not see many tourists traveling to Belarus.
UK_Dispatcher From United Arab Emirates, joined Dec 2001, 2550 posts, RR: 33 Reply 23, posted (4 years 11 months 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 1834 times:
Quoting RAFVC10 (Reply 14): the two A319 that EY has on it's fleet are ex-Privatair aircrafts. Do you know if are configured in VIP version? How many seats x aircraft?
They are both in a normal pax configuration of J20Y84.
UpperDeck79 From Finland, joined Feb 2005, 1139 posts, RR: 2 Reply 24, posted (4 years 11 months 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 1662 times:
Quoting JoFMO (Reply 12): Don't get me wrong, but Belarus is considered the last dictatorship in Europe, so good luck with turism....
Quoting Zvezda (Reply 13): Compared to Moldova, another european dictatorship, Belarus has a better business environment, better human rights record, and far more for tourists to see.
Funnily enough, I have travelled to both countries as a tourist! Moldova in 2006 by train (Finland-Russia-Ukraine-Moldova-Romania-Bulgaria-Turkey) and to Belarus just two weeks ago on Estonian Air Regional HEL-TLL-MSQ and back. Moldova was strange just like I expected, but Belarus was a blast! Soviet times were a distant memory and Minsk is a very, very beautiful city. I totally enjoyed my 3-day holiday there!
Absolutely no problem! Expect for the fact that Minsk 2 Airport is located about 40 km from the city itself...
AY and ANA rock!
25 EHCPH: How did you like Estonian Air Regional, Service on board, safety etc. ?? I might fly them next week, so I'm interested in your experiences. Many thank
26 UpperDeck79: On the 20-minute HEL-TLL the only service was a candy, which was totally fine. On the 1,5-hour TLL-MSQ they acutally offer a complimentary snack, cof
27 MD90fan: I actually would've expected this to come sooner, given the UAE has positioned itself as a tourist gateway and business/banking centre. Anyways, glad
28 UN_B732: It seems as though Moscow would make much more sense. *FAR* more traffic on both the leisure and business ends. Good for Minsk though; quite a surpris
29 Addd: But hasn't EY been rumoured to start AUH-SVO flights some time later this year? Not sure what came of that idea...
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Moldova in 2006 by train (Finland-Russia-Ukraine-Moldova-Romania-Bulgaria-Turkey) and to Belarus just two weeks ago on Estonian Air Regional HEL-TLL-MSQ and back. Moldova was strange just like I expected, but Belarus was a blast! Soviet times were a distant memory and Minsk is a very, very beautiful city. I totally enjoyed my 3-day holiday there!
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