Etihad Airways � the national airline of the United Arab Emirates � is to introduce its first destination in North America with the launch of flights to Toronto. Services will commence in October 2005 with Etihad initially operating three flights a week via Brussels.

Etihad expects to extend its North American network with the addition of New York as a destination in 2006.

Ian Ferguson Brown, Etihad�s head of communications, comments: �We are very excited to be launching our first trans-Atlantic flight to North America within just two years of operations. Our flight to Canada will be a launch pad for our services to the US in the summer of 2006.�

Etihad is now well on the way to achieving its stated aim of operating to 60 destinations by 2010.

Flight bookings can be made on 0870 241 7121 or by visiting www.etihadairways.com

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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, Frankfurt, 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.