Etihad gets nod for Australian service

Dubai: Etihad Airways said on Monday it would begin flights to Australia in the next few months after the UAE government successfully negotiated new air traffic rights between the two nations.

The Abu Dhabi-based carrier did not disclose its route destinations or frequencies, but said it expects to make further announcements later this month.

"We are absolutely delighted and this is very encouraging for us," said an Etihad spokesman. "Australia will be a big route for us for 2007."

Etihad's new service was first reported in the Australian press after a statement from the country's acting Prime Minister, Mark Vaile.

"I welcome the enhanced travel, trade and commercial opportunities the arrival of Etihad Airways will bring to Australia, and the opportunity to further strengthen the commercial links between Australia and Abu Dhabi," Vaile said.

The prime minister's comments made no mention of whether the bilateral talks resulted in additional rights to Emirates airline, which wants to double the number of flights to Australia by 2014 by adding four daily flights to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Emirates could not comment on the matter at the time of going to press.

Vaile reportedly said that the addition of Etihad would allow travellers a wider choice for travellers flying to the UAE and more than 36 other destinations.

"This decision clearly demonstrates how, where we can obtain a balanced package of arrangements that benefit our airlines and Australia generally, we are prepared to open our markets to new foreign airlines," he said.

In a release, Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan said, "We appreciate the support of the Government of Abu Dhabi in securing the additional rights that will allow us to start flights to Australia in the next few months. I believe that our service will significantly drive and support the development of trade and tourism between the UAE and Australia."