Etihad reportedly to start A330-200 services between Abu Dhabi and Perth in February 2014

Further to a report in AviationWA back in August 2011, Etihad Airways is again mentioned as starting scheduled airline services between Abu Dhabi and Perth, according to an article in The West Australian newspaper by aviation journalist Geoffrey Thomas.

Quoting sources in Abu Dhabi, the article states that the Etihad service will use Airbus A330-200 aircraft configured with 22 business class and 240 economy class seats, arriving at Perth at 13:40 and departing at 15:50, with the service expected to commence from February 2014.

The new service will be a joint venture with Virgin Australia, similar to the arrangement between Qantas and Emirates.

Etihad is a shareholder in Virgin Australia, holding just under 20% of its shares.