Etihad Airways has enjoyed its busiest summer period in its four year history with more than 1.6 million passengers flying onboard the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s flights during the months of June, July and August, the carrier said.

The summer months also saw Etihad flights operate at an average of 83 per cent full, an increase of 46 per cent on the same period from the year before.

Etihad has now flown more than four million passengers across its network of 48 destinations so far in 2008, indicating that the airline is well on track to achieve its target of carrying six million passengers by the end of the year.

Etihad will also boost its flying programme to Australia in October, with an increase to its existing daily service to Sydney to 11 flights per week. The same month will also see Etihad add a thirddaily flight to London Heathrow.