Etihad to increase London Heathrow flights

The new service, which brings the total number of flights to Heathrow each week from 17 to 21, compliments Etihad's other UK destination, Manchester, to which it operates a daily service.

Demand for flights between the UAE and UK has grown considerably during the past 12 months with more than 306,000 passengers travelling on the Heathrow service and 146,000 travelling on the Manchester service.

Geert Boven, Etihad Airways' executive vice president sales and services, said:

"It is great news that Etihad will shortly operate a third daily flight between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow, the world's busiest international airport. By adding these new flights to our growing route network we are able to offer a simpler, more convenient travel experience for the flying public."

Heathrow is one of Etihad's longest serving airports having begun services in March 2004, only five months after the launch of the airline.

Demand for flights between Abu Dhabi and Heathrow comes from business and holiday makers many of whom access Etihad's long haul destinations via Abu Dhabi such as Sydney, Singapore and Bangkok as well as those visiting the UAE's capital for a short break.