Etihad Airways announced on Thursday that it will add seven extra flights to Australia in 2011.  A statement issued by the national carrier of the UAE said the seven extra flights can operate to any gateway in Australia including Etihad’s current destinations of Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.  The new flight slots will be available beginning on March 11th, 2011.

Etihad Airway’s chief executive, James Hogan said the new flight services, which will offer up to 14 extra flights each week, shows the airline’s deepening bond with Australia. Hogan said “We are committed to this important market and look forward to carrying greater numbers of business and leisure travelers from destinations across Etihad’s expanding network to Australia.”  Etihad currently flies 21 times a week between Abu Dhabi and Australia, including three flights to Brisbane, seven to Melbourne, and 11 flights to Sydney.  The airline said it has carried 787,000 passengers to and from Australia since it launched its first flights to Sydney in 2007