Etihad Airways has commenced scheduled flights between its hub in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai, China. The national airline of the United Arab Emirates will initially operate five weekly Airbus A330-300 services to Shanghai’s main international airport – Pudong (PVG) – with commitments to a daily schedule from April 15th.

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of non-stop daily flights to Washington, DC; make the destination the airline’s fourth destination in North America. Also today Etihad confirmed a new country manager to lead its Irish management team, as the airline continues to build its presence in the Irish market.

Etihad Airways has confirmed it will increase the fuel surcharge on its European flights to offset the costs being imposed on the airline by the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme. The increase of $3 per passenger for flights into and out of Europe and USD$0.03 cents/kg for cargo shipments will take effect for travel from March 1st, 2012.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and airberlin, Europe’s sixth biggest carrier, today announced a significant increase in services between AbuDhabi and both Germany and Thailand.

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of flights to Lagos, the airline’s first destination in west Africa, from July 1st, subject to regulatory approvals. The direct flights will link Abu Dhabi and Lagos six times a week and will be operated by a two class A330-200 aircraft with 22 Pearl Business class and 240 Coral Economy seats.

Etihad Airways, considered the World’s Leading Airline by the prestigious World Travel Awards. is offering complimentary 96-hour tourist visas to guests transiting through the UAE, effective immediately. The visas, ideal for travellers making stopover visits en route to their final destination, are being offered in cooperation with Radisson Blu hotel on Yas Island.