Etihad Crystal Cargo – the cargo division of award-winning Etihad Airways – is preparing to launch a second weekly dedicated freighter operation between Abu Dhabi and Almaty in Kazakhstan. The additional freighter service will commence January 8th 2012, using an Airbus A330-200F freighter with a payload of 59 metric tonnes.

Etihad Airways has announced a deal valued at more than a $1 billion with aviation computer technology provider Sabre Airline Solutions. The result of an exhaustive selection process, the ten-year deal will see Etihad utilise cutting edge, integrated software across its reservations, inventory, marketing, planning, eCommerce, distribution and departure control operations.

Etihad Airways has confirmed a partnership with Avis EMEA enabling members of its loyalty programme - Etihad Guest - to earn Etihad Guest Miles when they rent cars from the industry giant. Etihad Guest members will also enjoy discounts at any of the international car hire company’s more than 5,100 outlets.

Etihad Airways’ has confirmed passengers holding boarding passes for December or January flights will receive complimentary admission to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Etihad is considered the World’s Leading Airline by the prestigious World Travel Awards.

Etihad Airways, voted “World’s Leading Airline” by World Travel Awards, has become the world’s largest customer of Boeing’s 787-9 Dreamliner by placing an order for a further 10 of the revolutionary aircraft. Following the $2.8 billion order, the UAE flag carrier now has a total of 41 Dreamliner’s on order.

United Arab Emirates flag-carrier Etihad Airways is celebrating three years of its non-stop service between Abu Dhabi and Moscow. The airline commenced operations to the Russian capital in December 2008 and since then has carried almost 200,000 travellers on the route.