Etihad Airways has acquired a 3.96 percent stake in Virgin Australia Holdings, making the investment through a series of purchases in recent weeks. The airline said that this strengthens the existing partnership between the two carriers, which dates back to 2010.
Together, Etihad Airways and V Australia operate 24 flights a week between Abu Dhabi and Australia and passengers have access to a combined network of more than 150 destinations. Last month, Etihad Airways leased a Virgin Australia Boeing 777-300ER for use on its route between Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur.
Etihad Airways began flying to Australia in March 2007 when it launched services to Sydney. It then added Melbourne and Brisbane. Nearly 2.2 million passengers have flown between Abu Dhabi and these three cities in the last five years. Etihad Airways has strategic codeshare partnerships with 35 airlines around the world.
Steele Luxury Travel
www.SteeleTravel.com