Etihad Airways is to offer cut-price flights to government workers as part of a new scheme encouraging more people to take to the skies. The Abu Dhabi airline will provide discounts of up to 15 per cent under the UAE Government Employee Travel Programme. Travellers who sign up for the free programme will be able to check in at Abu Dhabi International Airport using a dedicated counter. Members will receive 15-kg additional baggage allowance when travelling to the United States or Canada. Passengers can also bring an extra bag weighing up to 23kg in Economy and up to 32kg in Business and First class. Airlines around the world have been hard hit by the coronavirus outbreak, which initially led to bans on air travel to curb its spread. As many international restrictions have now been lifted, the travel sector is gradually recovering from the wide-reaching impact of the virus. Duncan Bureau, Etihad's senior vice president for sales and distribution, said the government partnership would bolster travel numbers in and out of the UAE capital. “We are delighted to partner with the UAE Government to offer its employees exclusive travel discounts, benefits and rewards," said Mr Bureau. "Whether booking for business or leisure, we hope this new travel programme will encourage more residents to start flying again.” Additional benefits include up to 10 per cent off Etihad Holidays packages and access to exclusive discounts with preferred partners. Last week, Etihad announced it would include a Covid-19 test in the price of tickets for UAE customers departing from Abu Dhabi until the end of the year. All travellers are currently required to show a negative test result before boarding Etihad flights. To join the discount scheme, federal government employees must be members of Etihad Guest, the airline’s loyalty programme. For more information, <a href="http://etihadguest.com/UAEGov ">visit this website</a>.
