Etihad Airways expands operations to Australia

Etihad Airways has said it would expand operations to Australia from its Abu Dhabi hub, increasing the number of flights it operates and adding additional aircraft and routes, as Gulf carriers seek to capture more traffic from Australasia and Asia. The airline, which holds an equity stake in Virgin Australia, will commence flights to Perth and add additional flights to Melbourne and Brisbane, according to an e-mailed statement. Flights to both Sydney and Melbourne will also now be serviced by an Airbus A380, while the airline will build premium lounges at both airports in 2014, the statement added. “Virgin Australia is a key member of our ever-expanding airline equity alliance, and Etihad Airways is an active and long-term investor in Virgin,” James Hogan, chief executive of Etihad, said in the statement. “We have a significant presence in Australia, with 28 weekly departures, annual expenditure of over $100mn, direct employment of 106 staff and engagement of 415 local contractors,” he added. Etihad is looking to increase its equity in Virgin Australia, following recent approval by the Foreign Investment Review Board to raise the Abu Dhabi carrier’s shareholding to 19.9% from 10% currently.