Etihad Airways announced Thursday that it will increase its capacity on Manchester services by 60 percent beginning in June, 2010, adding another 2,100 seats per week on the route.  Etihad currently operates seven return services a week between Abu Dhabi and Manchester, with onward connections to its network around the world.  Etihad’s chief commercial officer, Peter Baumgartner, said “We are pleased to support business and leisure travel to the region, as well as offering our customers greater access to Abu Dhabi and our expanding global network.”

Mr. Baumgartner said the Manchester services have performed very well, with load factors of 80 percent in 2009.  Etihad began offering services to Manchester in 2006 and signed a three year deal in 2009 to be the official shirt partner and sponsor of English Premier League side, Manchester City.