Etihad targeting 25m passengers by 2020

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SOARING HIGH: Etihad is launching flights to Melbourne, Athens, Istanbul, Chicago and Cyprus in 2009. (Getty Images)

Etihad Airways has set an ambitious target of flying 25m passengers a year and expanding its network to 100 destinations by 2020.

Geet W Boven, the Abu Dhabi airline’s executive vice president for sales and services, revealed the plans during a function hosted by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority on Wednesday.  

Boven is confident increased investment in the UAE capital will help boost Etihad’s passenger figures.

The government is expected to plough $200bn into the UAE capital during the next 10 years, according to Boven. He also said annual visitors to Abu Dhabi should increase to 7.5m, with more than 80,000 hotel rooms available in the emirate by 2030.  

In 2009, Etihad is launching flights to Melbourne, Athens, Istanbul, Chicago and Cyprus. It’s also expected to add a new route to an undisclosed Indian destination.

Last July, Etihad ordered 100 Boeing and Airbus aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow. The carrier said it will increase its fleet to 52 from 45 this year.  

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