Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has boosted its schedule to Bangkok to six flights a week. The flights operate via Etihad�s home base of Abu Dhabi with the airline flying daily from Heathrow and Gatwick to connect with the Bangkok service.

Etihad Airways UK general manager Peter Dunkin said: �Our guests can, if they wish, take advantage of Etihad�s stop-over programme and break the journey to Thailand in Abu Dhabi, or alternatively travel on through. Whatever option, or aircraft zone chosen, the quality of our inflight service will make the trip more comfortable.�

Other Asian destinations offered by Etihad include Colombo, Mumbai, Delhi and Karachi.

Flight bookings can be made on 0870 241 7121. Ends

NOTE TO EDITORS Etihad, which is based in Abu Dhabi, was established in July 2003 by decree of the UAE Government. Current routes include London Heathrow and London Gatwick, Geneva, Munich, Beirut, Damascus, Amman, Colombo, Cairo, Mumbai, Bangkok, Karachi, Bahrain, Dammam, Riyadh and New Delhi.

The airline signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Farnborough 2004 to purchase 24 Airbus aircraft with an option to purchase 12 additional aircraft. The total value of this agreement is in excess of $7 billion. Additionally an order for five Boeing 777-300ER aircraft was placed in September 2004 for delivery starting 2005. This order is valued at $1.09 billion. The airline has a long-term plan to expand its fleet of aircraft up to a total of 50 by 2009.

For further media information please call: Jane Richards/Coreena Brooks/Kish Wilkinson Compass PR 01753 654815 / jrichards@compasspr.com July 2005