Etihad Airways signs network deal with Australian carrier

Abu Dhabi: The UAE's national airline, Etihad Airways, has inked a new deal under which Etihad customers will gain greater access to destinations in Australia.

Under the agreement with the Australian company, Virgin Blue, Etihad's customers would be able to travel from Abu Dhabi in its flights to both Sydney and Brisbane and then connect seamlessly on to 22 cities across Australia on Virgin Blue.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways' chief executive officer, said: “The close cooperation with Virgin Blue will enhance significantly the travel experience and potential destinations for our customers flying to Australia.''

Etihad strives to make as many global destinations available to our customers whether it is opening up new routes of our own or through strategic interline agreements with other airlines, such as the Virgin Blue deal,'' Hogan added.

The deal with Virgin Blue comes into effect immediately.

Currently Etihad offers flights to 45 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Etihad started a daily service from Abu Dhabi to Sydney in March 2007, which was followed in September by the opening of its three flights-a-week service to the Queensland capital, Brisbane.

“The Sydney route has proved such a success, with more than 60,000 passengers flying on the sector since its launch, that in March 2008, Etihad will increase the service to 11 flights a week,'' the company said in a statement.

Virgin Blue operates more than 2,100 flights per week across Australia to many of the more popular cities including Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns and Darwin.

“Our new partnership means that our passengers can travel from anywhere on the Virgin Blue network to any of Etihad's 45 international destinations with ease,'' said Brett Godfrey, Virgin Blue's chief executive.