Etihad Airways Confirms 3.96% Stake in Virgin Australia

Etihad Airways has acquired a 3.96% stake in Virgin Australia Holdings.

The stake has been built over recent weeks, through purchases on the open market.

Etihad Airways said it believes that this equity investment in Virgin Australia’s domestic operations significantly strengthens the 10-year strategic partnership forged by the two carriers in August 2010.

Together, Etihad Airways (21) and V Australia (3) operate 24 flights a week between Abu Dhabi and Australia and passengers have access to a combined network of more than 150 destinations.

Last month Etihad Airways leased a Virgin Australia Boeing 777-300ER for use on its route between Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur.

Etihad Airways began flying to Australia in March, 2007 when it launched services to Sydney. Melbourne and Brisbane were quickly added. Nearly 2.2 million passengers have been carried between Abu Dhabi and these three cities in the last five years.

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