Etihad Airways will increase its Abu Dhabi to Manila service utilizing a Boeing 777-300ER, from four fl ights-a-week to daily fl ights from October 1. The Manila fl ights, launched in February 2006, have been hugely successful with customers from the UAE’s 200,000-strong Filipino community, as well as leisure travellers visiting the Philippines on holiday, Etihad said. “Demand regularly outstrips supply on the Abu Dhabi to Manila service, especially in the economy cabin which averages 90 per cent capacity, and therefore it is vital for the airline and our customers that we were able to increase the number of fl ights,” said James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive.

In addition to the new daily fl ights, Etihad has also signed a code share agreement with Philippine Airlines.