Etihad has announced plans to expand its network further this year, with flights to South Korea in December, after a positive first half of the year.
Etihad saw an 11% rise in passenger numbers in the first six months of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009, while revenue passenger kilometres increased by 22.6%.
The airline increased its available seat kilometres by 20.9% between January and June, with new flights to Tokyo, Baghdad and Erbil, and reduced the operating cost per available seat kilometre by 4%.
Hogan said the coming months also looked positive: "Looking forward, the trends are promising, with forward bookings on an upward trajectory. We are also seeing signs of improvements in premium traffic."
The airline will start flights from its home base in Abu Dhabi to Seoul, its 65th destination, on December 12.
Etihad will use an Airbus A330-200 on the Seoul route, in a three class configuration, with10 first class seats, 26 business class and 164 economy class.
According to James Hogan, Etihad Airways' CEO, South Korea is a growing destination for business travellers.
"South Korea is emerging as a key partner for the UAE, and the decision to commence services to Seoul reflects this strengthening partnership," he said.
"Over the past two years, Korean business has been building a strong presence in the UAE, particularly in the clean energy sector, construction, technology and small to medium enterprises."
A South Korean consortium has won the contract to build and operate four nuclear power reactors in the UAE, worth around US$40 billion.
Mr Hogan said the developments will play a key role in the Emirates' evolution. "We are committed to supporting trade between the two countries through our passenger and freight services."
Etihad will operate one flight daily between the two cities.
On Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, flight EY 876 will leave Abu Dhabi at 10.45am local time, arriving into Seoul's Incheon airport at 12.05pm. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, flight EY 872 will leave at 10.30am, arriving at 11.50pm.
The return flight from Seoul (EY875) will leave at 5.40pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, arriving into Abu Dhabi at 11.20pm. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, flight EY873 will leave at 1.10am, arriving at Abu Dhabi at 6.50am.
www.etihadairways.com