Etihad Airways (Arabic: الإتحاد, ʼal-ʻitiħād) is the national airline of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Etihad means "united" in Arabic, the name deriving from the Arabic for United Arab Emirates (الإمارات العربية المتحدة).
Established in 2003, Etihad commenced operation on November later that year.
The airline operates more than 1000 flights per week to 66 destinations in 44 countries, via a fleet of 57 aircraft. Its operation is heavily centered in Europe and Asia, as well as Oceania, Africa and North America. Its main base is Abu Dhabi International Airport, with its head office in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi.
In 2010, it carried 7.1 million passengers, compared with 340,000 in its first full year of operations in 2004. In addition to its core activity of passenger transportation, Etihad earns significant revenue from its cargo operation, Etihad Crystal Cargo.
