Etihad set to begin Brisbane flights

Dubai: Etihad Airways, the UAE's national carrier, will launch services to Brisbane, its second destination in Australia.

Etihad is to increase its flying programme from Australia following the success of its Sydney service, the carrier said.

The airline will move in March 2008 from seven flights to 11 a week from Sydney to Abu Dhabi. The rise in flight frequency is a result of Etihad's Sydney service performing well since its launch in March.

More than 40,000 passengers have flown on the Sydney-Abu Dhabi route with a 68 per cent seat factor in economy, 85 per cent in business and 78 per cent in first class.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways chief executive, said: "Sydney has been Etihad's most successful launch since the airline began in 2003, which has resulted in us expanding our Australian operation with the launch of Brisbane at the end of September and the increase of our Sydney services next year."

The airline carried more than 1.9 million passengers in the first six months of 2007, compared to 900,000 for the same period in 2006, an increase of 111 per cent.

Positive contribution

Average seat factors of 65 per cent were experienced for the January to June period throughout the airline's global network.

Sydney Airport CEO Russell Balding congratulated Etihad on the additional services. "Since it commenced flying to Sydney Airport, Etihad has proven to be popular with passengers. Etihad has made a positive contribution to the development of the Australian aviation market. The extra flights confirm Sydney Airport as the national gateway and emphasise again the importance of Sydney Airport to the economic performance of Sydney and NSW.

"The success of Etihad, and its commitment to build its presence in Sydney, is very good news for the tourism industry and for the increasing number of Australians who want to travel internationally."