Ambassador Al Otaiba Applauds Etihad Announcement of Service Between Abu Dhabi and Washington, DC

Washington, DC (23 February 2012) – UAE Ambassador to the United States, Yousef Al Otaiba issued the following statement regarding Etihad Airways’ announcement that it will begin non-stop service between Abu Dhabi and Washington, DC in March 2013: 

“I am delighted about today’s announcement.  This new flight will not only connect two of the world’s great capital cities, but it also underscores the depth and breadth of the strong bilateral relationship that exists between the United Arab Emirates and United States.

“Along with the associated economic benefits that this new route offers both Washington and Abu Dhabi, this capital-to-capital connection will also be an important bridge to facilitate cultural, business, and diplomatic connections between the US and the UAE.”

Etihad’s announcement comes on the heels of new US government statistics that identify the UAE as the US’ largest trading partner in the Middle East.

In 2011, total trade between the UAE and US was valued at over $18 billion, a 43 percent increase over the previous year. This record-breaking trade volume was fueled by a surge in growth of exports from the US to the UAE.

UAE receives imports from all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, remaining the largest market for American exports in the Middle East for the 3rd straight year.
 
Washington DC will join Chicago and New York as Etihad’s third destination in the US.