Final Etihad Perth service: 1 October 2018

1 October 2018 © David Eyre

Etihad Airways operated its last scheduled service between Abu Dhabi and Perth today.

The final service was operated by Airbus A330-243 A6-EYN, which wore Etihad’s old livery.

The airline announced the cessation on 10 April 2018 and a few days later on 14 April, switched back from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to A330-200s.

Etihad stated this decision was made as part of a review of the profitability of its route network. It faced strong competition from Emirates with its double-daily Perth services using A380s and Boeing 777-300ERs, as well as Qatar Airways with Boeing 777-300ERs upgrading to Airbus A380s from 1 May 2018.

Flight EY486 departed Abu Dhabi’s gate 35 at 9:55pm Abu Dhabi time on 30 September 2018 (1:55am Perth time on 1 October 2018), taking off from runway 31L at 10:10pm (2:10am Perth time).

Etihad aircraft seen from A6-EYN Airbus A330-243 of Etihad, at Abu Dhabi Airport, 30 September 2018. Photo © Steve Jaksic. About to depart from gate 35 on the final scheduled Etihad service to Perth, flight EY486 at 9:48pm local time.

After a flight of 11 hours 4 minutes, the aircraft landed on Perth’s runway 21 at 1:02pm, and taxied to bay 155 at 1:14pm.

Northern suburbs of Perth, seen from A6-EYN Airbus A330-243 of Etihad on flight EY486 Abu Dhabi - Perth - 1 October 2018. Photo © Steve Jaksic. Final Etihad service to Perth. Facing north from over Duncraig, with the Mitchell Freeway and Lake Joondalup in the centre, Lake Goollelal and the industrial area of Wangara on the right and Hepburn Avenue running left to right, just above the engine. — Northern suburbs of Perth, seen from A6-EYN Airbus A330-243 of Etihad on flight EY486 Abu Dhabi – Perth – 1 October 2018. Photo © Steve Jaksic. Final Etihad service to Perth. Facing north from over Duncraig at 12:46pm, with the Mitchell Freeway and Lake Joondalup in the centre, Lake Goollelal and the industrial area of Wangara on the right and Hepburn Avenue running left to right, just above the engine.

A6-EYN Airbus A330-243 (MSN 832) of Etihad at Perth Airport – 1 October 2018. Photo © Richard Kreider. *Final Etihad service to Perth*. Flight EY486 from Abu Dhabi, landing on runway 21 at 1:02pm.

A6-EYN Airbus A330-243 (MSN 832) of Etihad at Perth Airport – 1 October 2018. Photo © Mike Barlow. *Final Etihad service to Perth*. Flight EY486 from Abu Dhabi, landing on runway 21 at 1:02pm.

The return flight EY487 pushed back from bay 155 at 5:27pm and took off from runway 21 at 5:44pm. After 11 hours 18 minutes in the air, it touched down on Abu Dhabi’s runway 13L at 4:58am Perth time (1:06am Abu Dhabi time).