Etihad Airways had forecast that around 37% of passengers on its new long-haul service between Palma and Abu Dhabi would originate from the Balearics. However, with the outbreak of the war in Iran, bookings towards the United Arab Emirates have largely stalled. This development comes at a critical time as the airline plans to launch the route on 12 June with three weekly flights.
By contrast, other new long-haul connections from Mallorca, such as Air Canada’s Palma-Montreal service, anticipate a far lower share of travellers departing from the Balearics, estimated at around 10%. The Abu Dhabi route is scheduled to run until 16 September, operating every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday.
Tiago Philimore, Etihad’s representative, confirmed the schedule during a meeting with the Council of Mallorca at the International Tourism Fair in Madrid (Fitur). He stated that the airline aims to extend the service period over time and possibly increase the frequency to daily flights if demand allows.
Local tourism authorities express concern over reduced demand
Miquel Rosselló, director general of Tourism for the Balearic Government, noted the sharp shift in expectations in recent weeks, saying, "There was expected to be significant demand for this connection."
Pedro Fiol, president of the Balearics’ Travel Agencies Association (AVIBA), emphasised Etihad’s appeal to local agencies and clients. He highlighted that the airline offers stopover connections through Barcelona and Madrid, often providing more competitive fares than Emirates or Qatar Airways.
Fiol also detailed that the Airbus A321LR, allocated to this route, has a capacity for 195 passengers: 160 in economy and 35 in business class. Despite the slowdown in bookings, there remains cautious optimism for inbound demand from Abu Dhabi, contingent on fuel supply conditions which could influence global flight schedules this season.
Route details and pricing remain unchanged for now
Etihad currently maintains its initially planned schedule of three weekly flights, departing Abu Dhabi at 2.55 am local time and arriving in Palma at 8.15 am. The return flight leaves Palma at 10 am and lands in Abu Dhabi at 7 pm.
The lowest fares for flight EY115 are set to remain above €800, reflecting the route's premium positioning despite subdued demand linked to geopolitical tensions.