This year why not try Christmas shopping under the blue skies of Abu Dhabi taking advantage of special fares starting from just �231* from Etihad Airways � the national airline of the United Arab Emirates.

Flights depart daily from London Heathrow or Gatwick to Abu Dhabi with a choice of daytime or overnight flights.

The choice of gifts is equally varied ranging from gold and frankincense to designer clothes, jewellery and electronic goods. There are plenty of traditional items such as copper coffee pots, brass incense burners, camel rugs, wall hangings and blankets, decorated metal food platters which would make unusual Christmas gifts. Abu Dhabi offers an abundance of shopping in modern malls as well as traditional souks.

Those who like to drive a hard bargain will find Abu Dhabi right up their street. Very few places have fixed prices, leaving the shopper and shopkeeper to discuss the best prices over a cup of Arabic coffee. In any event Abu Dhabi has some of the lowest prices in the world so shopping till you drop is unlikely to break the bank. If Abu Dhabi fails to fill all the Christmas stockings, then shoppers can head to the extensive shopping malls and souks of Dubai, just an hour away by car. Or for duty free goods there is the superb award winning area at Abu Dhabi�s Nadia airport with a choice of around 30 different stores selling anything from gold and electronic items to watches, fashions, toys and perfumes.

Bookings can be made on 0870 2417121 or through travel agents. For information visit www.etihadairways.com

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NOTE TO EDITORS * Fare is �231 plus taxes of around �45 for a return flight from either Heathrow or Gatwick in Coral zone. Prices are valid for travel between 1 September and 30 November and are subject to availability.

Etihad currently flies daily from Heathrow and three times a week from Gatwick. From 28 October Etihad will operate daily from Heathrow and Gatwick.

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, Frankfurt, Munich, Beirut, Damascus, Amman, Colombo, Cairo, Mumbai, Bangkok, Karachi, Bahrain, Dammam, Riyadh, New Delhi and Frankfurt.

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