Abu Dhabi, April 16 (IANS/WAM) Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has launched a flight from Abu Dhabi to Basra in Iraq.

The new Airbus A320 service, with 16 business class seats and 120 economy class seats, will operate four times a week.

Basra is Etihad's third destination in Iraq.

These new services are an important step for Etihad Airways and for the UAE, reflecting a commitment to strengthening ties in the region, said James Hogan, Etihad Airways president and chief executive officer.

Etihad Airways has been operating services to Baghdad since April 2010, and Erbil in north Iraq since June 2010.

Last year, Etihad Airways carried more than 100,000 passengers between Abu Dhabi and these two cities.

--IANS/WAM

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