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Etihad Airways became the first airline from the Gulf region to fly to Belarus this week when the Abu Dhabi-based carrier launched a twice-weekly service to the country's capital, Minsk.
The inaugural Abu Dhabi to Minsk flight on Tuesday was met on arrival with a traditional 'water-arch' provided by the airport authorities as it taxied to its parking bay.
On arrival, passengers were greeted by a VIP welcoming committee, consisting of the Belarusian Government's Minister of Transport, Vladimir Sosnovsky and Vice-Minister of Tourism, Cheslav Shulga.
The new air link is anticipated to boost significantly trade and investment ties between the UAE and Belarus with the volume of trade between the two countries standing at more than AED 110-150 million per year.
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 to help to strengthen further the trade ties between the two countries."
It is the third new destination to be launched by Etihad this month. On August 1, the airline launched daily flights from Abu Dhabi to both Chennai and Kozhikode in India. Minsk brings the total number of global destinations now served by Etihad to 48.
Flight EY061 departs Abu Dhabi on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9.45am, arriving in Minsk at 2.25pm the same day. The return flight, EY062, departs Minsk on the same days at 3.15pm, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 9.40pm.
