Etihad Airways sales jump in Q2, helped by tie-ups

Fast-growing Gulf carrier Etihad Airways says its strategy of partnering with and buying stakes in overseas airlines helped boost its quarterly sales. The Abu Dhabi-based airline said Wednesday it generated revenue of $1.25 billion in the second quarter, up from $957 million during the same period a year earlier. Passenger numbers during the quarter jumped 34 percent to 2.6 million as the carrier filled a bigger share of seats onboard its planes. CEO James Hogan says the gains show its partnerships with other carriers are working, because the links allow them to feed additional passengers through Etihad\'s network. Etihad in recent months has bought stakes in Aer Lingus, Virgin Australia, Air Berlin and Air Seychelles. Etihad is owned by the government of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.