Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada’s largest and busiest airport, has welcomed the arrival of Etihad Airways’ first Airbus A350. The widebody A350-1000 landed in Toronto on Sunday, 27 October 2024. This event marks a further enhancement of the UAE national carrier’s daily services between Abu Dhabi and Canada’s premier aviation hub.
As the primary international gateway for the Greater Toronto Area, Toronto Pearson Airport handled over 50 million passengers in 2023. This solidified its status as a crucial transportation and economic driver for the region.
The airport maintains state-of-the-art facilities and supports and extensive route network. These are amongst factors that have positioned it as a preferred destination for global carriers like Etihad Airways. It holds strategic importance for direct connections between Canada and the UAE.
The arrival of Etihad’s new Airbus A350 aircraft now further elevates the passenger experience. The aircraft boasts a cutting-edge design and offers the airline’s latest cabin interior.
The A350’s advanced aerodynamics, fuel efficiency, and reduced emissions also align with Toronto Pearson’s sustainability initiatives. Both the carrier and the Canadian hub continue to work towards reducing their environmental footprint.
Concurrently, Etihad is set to launch daily flights to Boston, USA from November 1, just six months after it opened the Massachusetts route. This expansion of services to a second major North American city reflects the airline’s strategic focus on strengthening its presence in key markets.
Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Arik De, stated, We have seen significant demand on our Boston and Toronto routes. This expanding capacity gives our North American corporate and leisure travelers greater choice and flexibility when planning trips to the UAE and beyond to the Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent.
The airline now operates 42 weekly flights to North America: twice daily to New York JFK, and daily to Boston, Chicago, Toronto and Washington DC. Guests flying stateside can take advantage of the new US Customs and Border Protection facility at Abu Dhabi, streamlining the immigration process and ensuring a hassle-free journey.
Furthermore, Etihad’s complimentary stopover programme allows travelers to turn their layover into a memorable stay. It offers up to two free nights at premium hotels in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the city’s growing appeal as a must-visit destination.
The introduction of our A350 to Toronto and expanding to daily services to Boston reflect our ambitious growth plans in 2024. We are set to take another major leap at the end of November when we announce an exciting lineup of new destinations.
The strategic partnership between Etihad Airways and Toronto Pearson Airport underscores the importance of strengthening air connectivity between Canada and the UAE. It fosters increased trade, investment, and tourism opportunities between the two countries. Etihad now looks set to continue an expansion of its North American network, with the arrival of the A350 in Toronto signalling further news in coming months.
