In a recent announcement that was enthusiastically welcomed, Etihad Airways has confirmed that it has decided to increase the frequency of its connecting UK services to Melbourne.

With effect from March 2009, the Abu Dhabi-based airline is to commence offering daily services from London Heathrow and Manchester airports through its base located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Already the carrier is offering about 17 flights in a week from Heathrow and seven flights from Manchester. However, with effect from next spring, the airline's timetable will be updated to provide daily connections to the Australian city.

Most notably, on the enhanced Abu Dhabi to Melbourne leg, a three-cabin Airbus A340-600 will be employed that is configured to carry about 244 passengers in the economy class, 30 in business class and 12 in the first class.

Commenting on the present expansion, James Hogan, the airline's chief executive noted that the company is keen to expand the leisure segment of the airline in the UAE and Australia regions. He observed, "Etihad looks forward to opening up further trade and holidaymaker traffic business in both the UAE and Australia by creating direct links between Abu Dhabi and Melbourne."

Jeremy Bruer, Australia's ambassador to the country, added further, "This announcement is great news for the UAE and Australia and will, I'm sure, be warmly welcomed by the business community and leisure travellers."

In yet another move, Etihad has also recently increased the number of its flights operated between Abu Dhabi and Sydney from seven to about eleven every week.