Etihad Airways has announced that its flights between Abu Dhabi and Heathrow achieved an average load factor of 85 percent in economy and 82 percent in business during the third quarter of 2007. This compared to an average load factor across its 45-destination network during July, August and September of 75 percent, up from 70 percent last year.

The Abu Dhabi-based carrier currently operates 19 weekly flights between the United Arab Emirate's capital and Heathrow. It will add an extra five flights a week on its UK services when it launches its winter schedule later this week.