Etihad and Emirates launches service to Tokyo; Qatar to follow in Apr-2010

Etihad Airways launched five times weekly Abu Dhabi-Tokyo service on 27-Mar-2010, becoming the first Middle Eastern airline to operate to the Japanese capital - see Route Changes Table for more information. The new route follows the launch of service to Nagoya in Feb-2010 and codeshare services to be launched with ANA this month. Etihad also serves Manila, Jakarta, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Beijing from Abu Dhabi. [more]

Meanwhile, Emirates launched five times weekly Dubai-Tokyo service on 28-Mar-2010, in addition to its daily service to Osaka (launched in 2002) - see Route Changes Table for more information (Business 24/7/Gulf News, 29-Mar-2010). Tokyo will be the carrier's 102nd destination, with the carrier expecting an average 80% load factor on the route in its first year of operation. Qatar Airways, which currently operates Doha-Osaka service, also plans to launch service to Tokyo on 26-Apr-2010.