Etihad Airways flags schedule improvements to Joburg

The new flight timings have been designed to offer business and leisure passengers maximum flexibility when formulating their travel plans, and to better connect Johannesburg to Etihad Airways' global network.

Importantly, the new flight timings will establish seamless connection opportunities to Etihad Airways destinations on the Indian Subcontinent, and across North and South Asia.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways chief executive officer, said: "We believe this new schedule will open up a number of opportunities for our Johannesburg service and could eventually enable us to introduce a second daily flight."

Cape Town loses out... for the moment

Under the new schedule, all Etihad Airways flights to South Africa will terminate in Johannesburg, and no longer operate through to Cape Town. The airline is examining other means of serving the Cape Town market, and already has in place arrangements to offer passengers fast and seamless connections in partnership with local carriers.

The airline began flying to Johannesburg in December 2005 and in the last six years has carried more than half a million passengers to and from South Africa.

Etihad Airways' guests with existing bookings affected by the new schedule will be contacted shortly to discuss these changes and to make alternative bookings where necessary.

New Johannesburg schedule, effective Tuesday, 24 January 2012: