Etihad Airways will launch direct flights to Dallas Fort Worth, Texas, in 2014, the United Arab Emirates’ national airline’s fifth destination in the United States.

The addition of the new ultra-long haul three flights a week service, which will start on December 3rd, 2014, follows Etihad Airways’ pledge to continue to expand its US flight network to cater for growing demand from business and leisure travellers.

Dallas is also the largest and most important hub for American Airlines, Etihad Airways’ US codeshare partner, and the new service will strengthen Etihad Airways’ reach and depth across the US, attracting air travellers from the Middle East region and Indian Subcontinent.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ president said: “The United States is one of Etihad Airways’ most important global markets and we are delighted to add Dallas, a key US destination and hub, to our flight network, bringing the number of American cities we will serve to five by the end of 2014.

“The new service will also strengthen the deep commercial and bilateral ties between the United Arab Emirates and the United States.”

Much of the US demand will initially come from the oil and gas sector which has significant connections with Abu Dhabi and the Middle East, as well as from the 20 Fortune 500 companies based in Dallas and the 52 Fortune 500 companies based in Texas.

Hogan added: “Abu Dhabi’s unique geographical position, as well as Etihad Airways’ extensive flight network and those of partner airlines, such as Jet Airways in India and American Airlines, will ensure air travellers have an unparalleled proposition when flying between the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent and the United States.”

Dallas joins the other US cities of Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles (to launch on June 1st, 2014) on the Etihad Airways flight network.

The addition means Etihad Airways will provide 31 return flights each week between the UAE and US by December 2014.