The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Etihad Airways flew more than six million passengers in 2008 with 34 percent growth.

The growth of Etihad's fifth year of operation saw passenger numbers total 6,021,931 and the average seat factor rise from 68 percent to 75 percent, says a press release.

The airline has also taken delivery of nine new aircraft boosting its fleet to a total of 42.

Etihad launched six new routes in 2008 - Beijing, Minsk, Almaty, Kozhikode, Chennai and Moscow - as well as signed a record order of US$43 billion at the Farnborough International Airshow for up to 205 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

Etihad Airways' chief executive James Hogan said: "Despite the impact of the global economic downturn, Etihad performed extremely well in 2008 and we hit our target of flying more than six million passengers during the year."

The airline won 17 global awards for service and innovation during 2008. The highlights included winning the "airline of the year" at the Aviation Business, Arabian Business and British Travel Awards.

Etihad announced new codeshare agreements with Jet Airways, Yemen Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Sri Lankan Airlines in 2008 taking the total number of partners to nine airlines.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline also increased its number of employees to more than 7,000 staff-with the majority living and working in Abu Dhabi-representing 121 different nationalities, including more than 2,900 cabin crew and 755 pilots.