Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has launched flights from Abu Dhabi to its second Moroccan destination with scheduled services to Rabat.

The inaugural flight touched down at Rabat-Sale International Airport to a traditional water cannon salute followed by an arrival ceremony with chief guests, Morocco’s Minister of Tourism Lahcen Haddad, and the UAE Ambassador to Morocco, Al-Asri Saeed Al-Dhaheri.

The twice-weekly service, operated by three-class Airbus A340-500 aircraft, is the only direct commercial air link between the two capital cities. With existing daily services on the Abu Dhabi-Casablanca route, Etihad Airways has boosted its Morocco frequency to nine flights each week.

The inaugural delegation on flight EY615 to Rabat was led by Khaled Al-Mehairbi, Etihad Airways’ SVP government and aeropolitical affairs.

The delegation included Captain Salah Awadh Alfarajalla, SVP security and national pilot development; Hareb Mubarak Al-Muhairy, SVP, corporate and international affairs; Ali Al-Shamsi, VP, Abu Dhabi hub operations; Joost Den Hartog, acting VP, global sales; and Amer Khan, VP, MENA.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, said the airline was delighted to launch its second Moroccan route with the new Rabat service.

“This new direct air link demonstrates Etihad Airways’ commitment to build sustainable ties in the North African region and to deepening the strong relationship between Morocco and the United Arab Emirates,” he said.

Al-Dhaheri, said: “There is no doubt that the new Etihad Airways route between the two Arabian capitals is a result of joint cooperation between the two countries in civil aviation. Direct flights will contribute profoundly to the development of trade, investment and tourism.”

Etihad Airways is able to extend its reach across North Africa further through a codeshare agreement with Royal Air Maroc, providing passengers with direct flights from Casablanca to destinations throughout Morocco, including Agadir, Marrakesh and Tangier.