ANZFF Air New Zealand (PK)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has become a UATP Shareholder and will begin to issue UATP accounts in the U.A.E. and throughout its network.  Etihad's focus will be on both growing corporate market share within the U.A.E. and further expanding the corporate account base globally. Etihad is currently a UATP Merchant accepting all UATP corporate cards as a form of payment in all sales channels.

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"Etihad chose to become a UATP Issuer to better capture the extensive corporate market in the Middle East.  By offering an Etihad UATP card program to our corporate customers, we will be able to provide best-of-breed solutions and utilize UATP in many ways to enhance our customer service and fulfill the payment needs of the airline," said Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' Chief Commercial Officer.

Recently celebrating its seventh anniversary and winning the coveted 'World's Leading Airline' title for the second consecutive year at the World Travel Awards, Etihad has grown rapidly and today has a fleet of 57 aircraft that operates flights to 66 destinations in 44 countries.

"Etihad strives for excellence in everything it offers its clients; choosing to launch a UATP program exudes that spirit and will allow Etihad to provide its corporate base products and services equal to the excellence you see in what exists at Etihad today," Ralph Kaiser, president and CEO, UATP said. "Etihad is a leading player in an extremely competitive industry; we look forward to bringing to market the Etihad UATP product and helping this extremely successful airline continue its growth."

For more information, visit uatp.com or www.etihadairways.com

About UATP

UATP accounts are accepted as a form of payment for corporate business travel worldwide by airlines, travel agencies and Amtrak®.  UATP accounts are issued by: Air New Zealand (ANZFF.PK); American Airlines (NYSE: AMR); Austrian Airlines (AUALF.PK); China Eastern Airlines Co., Ltd; Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL); Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL); EL AL Israel Airlines Ltd; GOL Linhas aereas inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and Bovespa: GOLL4); Japan Airlines (JALSY.PK); Qantas Airways, Ltd. (QUBSF.PK); United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAL); and US Airways (NYSE: LCC). AirPlus International issues the UATP-based Company Account for: British Airways (LSE: BAY.L); Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL); and Lufthansa German Airlines.

About Etihad Airways:

Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, based in the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi.  Currently, Etihad services 66 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. For bookings visit www.etihadairways.com

SOURCE UATP