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An Etihad pilot aborted a flight from Manchester Airport to allow a couple say their last goodbyes to grandson. Image Credit: Supplied

Dubai: Etihad Airways has unveiled a major fare sale Thursday to mark the announcement of its new partnership with Virgin Blue Group.

Return fare deals from around Australia to Europe and the Middle East, inclusive of taxes and charges, start from AU$1834, with comparable deals on inbound fares from Europe to Australia and New Zealand.

During the sale period, Etihad return Economy fares inclusive of all taxes and charges will be: Adelaide-Dublin from AU$2138 or Adelaide-Athens from $2171, Cairns-Paris from AU$2190 or Cairns-Milan from $2138, Gold Coast-Abu Dhabi from AU$1839 or Gold Coast-Manchester from AU$2237; London-Ayers Rock from £947 or London-Auckland from £938; Frankfurt-Auckland from €1155 or Geneva-Adelaide from CHF1355; Beirut-Sydney from US$1991

Etihad Business class fares will start from: AU$8215 from Sydney to Abu Dhabi; AU$8465 on Sydney-London and AU$8165 between Melbourne and Frankfurt.

Etihad is also launching the Australia Skypass, a new fare product that allows inbound tourists to fly all over Australia and New Zealand on up to six domestic/Tasman sectors from USD$55 per sector.

Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer Peter Baumgartner said the highly competitive fares were designed to promote the new joint network on offer.

“We believe the Australia Skypass will be a boon for domestic tourism in Australia, giving untapped European tourists access to secondary ports such as Tasmania and Far North Queensland, as well as connectivity between the major capital cities,” he said.

“This kind of inbound fare product will showcase Australia beyond just Melbourne and Sydney, although of course not excluding them.”