Virgin Australia partner Etihad Airways will end its Perth-Abu Dhabi flights from October 2 2018.
A spokesman for Etihad Airways confirmed to Australian Business Traveller its decision to pull the plug on Perth, saying "the cancellation of the Perth route is one of several adjustments that we are making to our network in 2018 in order to improve system profitability."
The airline's last flight from Abu Dhabi to Perth (EY486) will depart on September 30 2018, while the final Perth-Abu Dhabi flight (EY487) will take wing on October 1, reaching Abu Dhabi early in the morning on October 2 2018.
Passengers affected by cancellation of these flights are advised to contact the airline or the travel agency responsible for their booking to discuss alternative arrangements.
While Etihad currently flies its Boeing 787s to Perth, from April 16, that swaps to an Airbus A330 jet as previously reported, until the route ceases later in the year.
The cancellation comes as international flights from Perth are getting increasingly competitive, with arch rival Emirates planning to make Perth an all-A380 destination, while Qatar Airways is also bringing its superjumbos to the mining capital from May 1 2018.
Last month saw Qantas launch non-stop Perth-London flights using its Boeing 787 aircraft – removing the need to stopover in places like Abu Dhabi for London-bound flyers.
Other recent changes to Etihad's Australian routes have included withdrawing Airbus A380s from Melbourne in favour of double-daily Sydney-Abu Dhabi superjumbo flights, and removing first class from Brisbane-Abu Dhabi services.
Virgin Australia planned to launch its own Perth-Abu Dhabi flights back in 2017, but nixed those plans before the first flight left the runway, noting that "subsequent changes in market conditions have made the route no longer viable for Virgin Australia".
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Aug 2017
Total posts 116
Looks like they have been out muscled by EK & QR soon to be 3 x daily A380’s. Something had to give I guess.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 May 2015
Total posts 21
You wonder how long it will be before you see ‘etihad ceases to operate’ or ‘merges with emirates’
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Jun 2017
Total posts 41
Unfortunately we could see this coming for a while. Competition is getting strong, which is great for WA travellers.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 Aug 2013
Total posts 248
How can Qatar make this work with a daily A380 and Etihad can’t with a fuel efficient B787 and a330. Seems Qatar are trying to win pax over by flying an A380 and risk making a loss?
07 Oct 2012
Total posts 1250
I love Qatar... but I think it's pretty well known that they aren't turning a profit and are adding destinations on a regular basis. Ethiad has reached a point, probably caused by poor investments, where they are watching costs and hence making cuts.
19 Jan 2018
Total posts 87
The end of an era. It’s tough times for the ME3, and especially tough for Etihad.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Dec 2016
Total posts 30
I prefer Qatar and Emirates over Etihad anyway. Still sad to see them go though.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Mar 2017
Total posts 39
It's quite abhorrent how they treat their staff - and actually, anyone in general living in Qatar. How anyone can morally give that company or indeed country any money astounds me. Vote with your wallet!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 Aug 2013
Total posts 248
I agree and it’s not just Qatar.. Just few week ago an Emirates flight attendant committed suicide jumping from an airplane door. The treatment of their workers still won’t deter people away from flying these airlines end of day.
26 Jul 2015
Total posts 80
I know a girl who recently completed her contract with Emirates and she was very impressed with how she and everyone she knew was treated by Emirates.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Apr 2017
Total posts 134
Emirates is *extremely* well regarded within the flight attendant community and usually rates as one of the best carriers to work for. Their retention rate, and job satisfaction rate, is high. The “suicide” mentioned was speculation, it seems the fall was an accident, unless I’ve missed a final report.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 Aug 2013
Total posts 248
I’m not disagreeing - but I’m not entirely convinced your correct here on a few points you have made. I wouldn’t say a considerable number come from the US at all, it’s mostly Eastern Europe,Asia,Africa. With UAE, for a country that had to create a Minister of Happiness kind of speaks for itself. Regarding the Emirates incident, the flight attendant opened the door behind the wing, one that does not routinely get opened and not get into detail but an object was placed somewhere to help achieve the intention. A family member of mine that has now left Etihad after 5 years could not stand the overworked conditions as a pilot and mistreatment by management. People would be afraid to call in sick, pilots fly exhausted, etc. The tax free pay was high in the few hundred $k but came at cost in other aspects like workers rights, living conditions especially for cabin crew - the Middle East is not as glamorous as it’s made out to be. For more info from people that actually work for ME3 airlines just google to hear their first hand accounts.
25 Sep 2017
Total posts 3
It fare to say that QF/one world has and better network out of Perth than VA and partners
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 262
I’ve just landed in AUH en route back to PER, I’ll have to now get back on the 787 before it switches to the 330 which was the starting point of wondering which airline to change to.. SQ it will be but perhaps this is a sign to change alliances from VA to....
11 Apr 2018
Total posts 1
This is sad for me as I’ve been flying them exclusively from Perth to the US (JFK) and it’s always full in business. Why do I use them? Simple 1 connection great service but the most important thing is they have US preclearance in Abu Dhabi this means no waiting 2 or 3 hours at JFK to clear customs. I have no idea who I will fly with now and what to do with my Gold status, suggestions?
11 Apr 2018
Total posts 2
We are in same boat, my son has been flying Perth to JFK 3 times a year for the last two years, so easy. He has another 4 years at college there now so I’m stumped how I am going to get him there as hassle free as we do now. Just hope another airline else starts flying the same route.
04 May 2015
Total posts 261
Stumped? You could fly one-stop through Dubai, Doha, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, or heck, via London on Qantas+BA. Doesn't get you US preclearance or status recognition from Etihad Gold, but plenty of options and plenty of airlines to approach to discuss a status match.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2013
Total posts 699
Fly via Dubai or if precheck in a must then make a 2 stop journey via Sydney/Brisbane/Melbourne and Canada.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Dec 2011
Total posts 95
Etihad are also stopping the Edinburgh route this year as well.
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 397
People seem to forget that Qantas dropped unprofitable routes when they were losing money not so long ago. Now they are massively profitable, they are expanding again.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
30 Jul 2015
Total posts 15
I wouldn't be surprised if VA now launch PER/AUH as rumour of additional 330s coming from EY.
25 Feb 2012
Total posts 77
I have been an EY user for many years . Again last year J class to Dublin ex Melbourne. I actually flew the last A380 into Melbourne from Auh . The best parts of the flights I took were some of the crews . I got one of the last chauffeur in Dublin Airport included in the ticket but no pjs ,no aminity bags ( except on the long leg ) I had to ask for a toothbrush and a razor in the business lounge !!!! Ran out of food on one leg. So sad to see this airline brought to its knees. But I suppose loosing$ 1. 8 bil will do that every time .
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 371
Is EY still losing money? A similar amount per month to the annualised $1.6b loss, or has that changed?
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Etihad to axe Perth-Abu Dhabi flights from October