Etihad targets 7m passengers in 2009

Etihad Airways has set itself a target to carry seven million passengers this year, which would represent an increase of 15 per cent on the six million customers it served in 2008.

The United Arab Emirates' national airline will support its plans for growth this year with the expansion of its global network to 55 destinations and the enlargement of its fleet to more than 50 aircraft.

New routes being launched over the coming months will see the airline begin carrying passengers to Melbourne, Larnaca, Istanbul, Chicago and Athens.

During the summer period, Etihad will operate a schedule of 900 flights a week, 20 per cent more than the 750 weekly services it offered in 2008.

Chief executive James Hogan said: "The aviation industry is facing its toughest challenge for many years as a result of the current global economic crisis but Etihad Airways will seek to continue its expansion plans during 2009 in a measured, considered and controlled manner.

"The new aircraft arrivals will boost our fleet by a quarter and allow us to launch flights to five new destinations as well as build depth and frequency into our existing network."

Etihad recently announced a partnership with Qantas that will enable it to provide better connections in Australia via its gateway destinations of Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

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