Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, this week celebrates two major milestones in Australia – the anniversary of Etihad’s Australian services, and the inaugural V Australia flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi, operated by Etihad alliance partner, the Virgin Blue Group of Airlines.

With the FIFA World Cup secured Qatar has shifted its footballing ambitions, with Manchester United thought to be the next target. According to reports, Qatar Holding – the sovereign wealth fund of the Middle Eastern state - has set aside some £2.5 billion for the deal.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has opened the doors of its latest premium lounge in Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1, as part of the airline’s continued commitment to the North West of England.

Leading airlines – including Ryanair, Emirates, Etihad and Korean Air – have sought to diffuse a growing row over so-called export-credit financing. Speaking at Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development talks in Paris the group argued for the extension of export credits to all airlines in the US and Europe, irrespective of whether they are based in a country which manufactures aircraft.

Etihad Airways has been awarded the prestigious title of ‘World’s Leading Airline’ for a second consecutive year at the World Travel Awards. James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive officer, said: “To win the award for ‘World’s Leading Airline’ two years running is a phenomenal and unprecedented achievement for an airline that is only seven years old.”

Etihad Airways is celebrating its seventh birthday today, as the national airline of the United Arab Emirates continues to go from strength-to-strength. In seven years of rapid growth, Etihad has flown over 26 million passengers on more than 180,000 flights to destinations around the world. Over the same period it has seen its fleet grow to 57 aircraft.