Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways is gearing up to launch Atlanta’s first nonstop route to Abu Dhabi next month.

Although the airline, based in the United Arab Emirates, initially announced it would offer the route four times per week beginning July 2, early booking interest prompted it to move to daily service starting in November.

Etihad already serves New York, Chicago, Boston and Washington, said Alpna Mathews, Etihad’s regional general manager for the Americas, the U.K. and Ireland.

“We don’t cover the Southeast right now, so just to have our footprint in this area, we‘re excited.”

Etihad is “actively building out” an Atlanta team to serve its new location, a spokeswoman confirmed, making hires across sales, operations and cargo.

“We are looking to be sustainable in the m

See Full Page