ABU DHABI, 17 December 2018: Etihad Airways has recently launched its first ever scheduled flights linking Abu Dhabi and Barcelona.
The inaugural service was introduced, 28 November, with the UAE national airline celebrating the occasion by hosting a special event held at the historic Capella dels Angels, a 16th-century Gothic building which is now part of the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA).
The event was attended by leading figures from the local government, diplomats, media, corporate partners and travel trade. 
Etihad Aviation Group chief executive officer, Tony Douglas said: “Commercial and cultural links between the UAE and the Catalonia region are flourishing and Etihad is honoured to play a pivotal role in facilitating and enhancing the growth of trade and the strong demand for tourism.
“This is a breathtakingly beautiful part of the world, with something to offer the most discerning of travellers, and now for the first time, Abu Dhabi, our amazing home, is accessible from Barcelona with regular non-stop flights, featuring Etihad’s acclaimed inflight hospitality.”
Tourist visits from the UAE to Spain are on the rise thanks in part to a successful Schengen visa waiver programme introduced for UAE nationals in 2015.
The new route is being operated five times a week using a two-class Airbus A330-200 before becoming a daily flight from 31 March 2019.
Barcelona is the second city in Spain served by Etihad Airways, complementing the airline’s existing daily service to Madrid.
The new link will provide business and leisure travellers with convenient timings to travel between Abu Dhabi and Barcelona, also providing seamless onward connections through Abu Dhabi to major cities in the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and Australia.
Etihad Airways operates an extensive codeshare partnership with Air Europa (UX) allowing guests a seamless transfer with the Spanish airlines services between Barcelona and Madrid.
Etihad also codeshares with Air Europa beyond Madrid to 19 cities in Europe, South America, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Flight schedule: Abu Dhabi – Barcelona, effective 28 November 2018:
| Flight No. | Origin | Departs | Destination | Arrives | Frequency | Aircraft |
| EY 49 | Abu Dhabi | 02:20 | Barcelona | 07:15 | Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Airbus A330-200 |
| EY 50 | Barcelona | 10:10 | Abu Dhabi | 20:00 | Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Airbus A330-200 |
Note: All departures and arrivals are listed in local time.
