Etihad unveils A330-200 in Manchester City livery; to double flights

Etihad Airways has taken its sponsorship of Manchester City Football Club to new heights with the unveiling of an especially liveried A330-200 aircraft.

The new ‘Blue Moon Rising’ livery also marks next month’s launch of double daily flights between Manchester and Abu Dhabi, effective from 1 August 2011. Etihad currently flies to the UAE’s capital city seven times a week.

A team of 40 painters worked around the clock for 18 days in Abu Dhabi to paint the A330-200 in the colours of Manchester City. 450 litres of paint were required to complete the job.

The aircraft, which will operate on the Abu Dhabi-Manchester route, will also serve Milan, Frankfurt, Brussels, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore, Istanbul and destinations throughout the Middle East and India.

“We are very proud of our sponsorship of Manchester City Football Club, and of our commitment to the wider community. Manchester has been a key destination for Etihad for five years, and the increase in frequency to double daily indicates our dedication to the region,” said James Hogan, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer.

“Business and leisure travellers from all over the northwest of England can now easily take advantage of the services, whether flying to Abu Dhabi, or further afield to destinations such as Thailand, Singapore or Australia.”

In December, 2010, Etihad opened its First and Business Lounge at Manchester airport.

Etihad Airways has been Manchester City Football Club’s main club sponsor since May 2009.  During that time the club has enjoyed considerable success, including its first FA Cup win since 1969 in the 2010-2011 season.

Etihad Airways has thus far built an impressive portfolio of international sponsorship partners.  They include the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Harlequins Rugby Football Club, the Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championships, the Abu Dhabi Golf Championships and the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.