Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, today confirmed that it has acquired a 3.96 per cent stake in Virgin Australia Holdings.

Etihad Airways believes that this equity investment in Virgin Australia’s domestic operations significantly strengthens the 10-year strategic partnership forged by the two carriers in August 2010 and will enrich the commercial benefits which the alliance already provides for both airlines, as well as increasing the benefits to Australian consumers and visitors to Australia.

Together, Etihad Airways (21) and V Australia (3) operate 24 flights a week between Abu Dhabi and Australia and Pakistani passengers have access to a combined network of more than 150 destinations. Etihad currently operates 23 weekly flights from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and from Peshawar.

Etihad Airways began flying to Australia in March, 2007 when it launched services to Sydney. Melbourne and Brisbane were quickly added. Nearly 2.2 million passengers have been carried between Abu Dhabi and these three cities in the last five years.

Etihad Airways has strategic codeshare partnerships with 35 airlines around the world.