Etihad Airways Expands London Operations with Heathrow Slots Leased from American Airlines; New Daily Abu Dhabi Flight Planned for Summer 2025

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has leased prime slots at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) from American Airlines for the summer 2025 season. The lease agreement allows Etihad to utilize these slots from March 30, 2025, to October 25, 2025, with the possibility of extending the lease period.

American Airlines has agreed to lease Etihad Airways a daily slot at Heathrow, facilitating the addition of a new daily service between Abu Dhabi and London. Etihad plans to operate this route under flight number EY703. Preliminary filings indicate the use of a 196-seater Airbus A321 for the new service. However, as schedules and equipment are subject to adjustments, the airline is expected to make further announcements regarding the finalized details.

Etihad Airways currently operates 28 weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow, employing a combination of its widebody fleet:

The lease agreement between Etihad Airways and American Airlines underscores the value of slot trading and leasing in the aviation industry. Such arrangements allow airlines to optimize their operational strategies while maximizing the use of constrained airport infrastructure.

For American Airlines, leasing a slot to Etihad enables the U.S. carrier to streamline its Heathrow operations without underutilizing valuable slots. For Etihad, the agreement provides an opportunity to expand its services at a highly competitive airport where slot availability is limited.

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