Etihad Airways has announced a recruitment drive in Ireland to find at least 100 new Irish employees to support its growth around the world.

Etihad already employs more than 90 Irish staff at the airport, its Dublin line maintenance operation and across its global network.

Now the airline is aiming to more than double those numbers.

Etihad chief executive officer James Hogan, who was in Dublin to participate in the Global Irish Economic Forum at Dublin Castle, said: “We have built close relationships with Ireland and with Irish communities around the world since we began our service to Dublin four years ago. 

“We have directly invested more than €16 million into Ireland over that time.

“That money has gone into our premium lounge and ground operations at Dublin airport, our Dublin Line Maintenance Centre and of course our sponsorship commitment as a supporter of GAA hurling.

“And our operating costs and Irish aircraft financing deals see tens of millions more every year coming into the Irish economy from Etihad.

“Next month, we are holding cabin crew recruitment Open Days in Dublin and we are hoping to hire at least 100 employees from this market.”

Etihad launched its Dublin to Abu Dhabi flights in 2007.

Today it operates ten flights a week into the UAE’s capital city, offering onward connections to another 70 destinations around the world. 

Etihad has flown more than 640,000 guests on the route and carried more than 9,000 tonnes of cargo.

Hogan added: “I have been a passionate supporter of bringing flights to Dublin and I’ve been delighted by the response we have had for the last four years.

“At Etihad, we make a real effort to embed ourselves into the local culture of our destination markets and become a partner in trade and tourism. 

“Ireland has been a shining example of how that partnership can work and we highly appreciate the support we have received.

“Over the coming months and years, you will see that support repaid with continuing investment in the route and in our relationships here in the Irish market.”

Etihad’s recruitment Open Days will be held at the Burlington Hotel on November 30th and December 1st 2011.

Etihad is also planning to hold Open Days in Belfast and Cork.

Etihad is considered the World’s Leading Airline by the prestigious World Travel Awards.