The most recent news to come from Etihad Airways is its joining with airberlin, another leading airline.

The joining of the two airlines has opened up new routes for both. As Etihad Airways is situated in the UEA, in Abu Dhabi, flights to parts of Europe such as flights to Germany are now more accessible through airberlin.

The mergeralso means a sharing of Frequent Flyer programs and codeshares. Air miles gained on Etihad Airways or airberlin can be used on either airlines.

airberlin’s inaugural flight to Abu Dhabi happened this morning, with the aeroplane being greeted with the tradition water cannons as it crossed the runway.

Etihad Airways’ inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi to the Maldives touched down to a colourful welcome in the capital Malé last Tuesday.

EY flight 278 was honoured with a traditional water cannon salute, and its 146 passengers were greeted by local bodu beru (big drum) dancers and singers on the tarmac.

“This is a very exciting day for Etihad Airways and we are thrilled to add another new destination, particularly one that is so important to the leisure traveller,” Etihad Airways’ chief executive officer, James Hogan, said.

“We look forward to developing strong ties between the UAE and the Maldives and we take our responsibility to bring more people to this part of the world very seriously.

“It is such a highly desirable destination for our customers, not only from Abu Dhabi but also from Europe,” Mr Hogan added.

Etihad Airways – that national airline of the UAE – is operating a daily return service from its home base in Abu Dhabi to Malé International Airport on an Airbus A320 aircraft, configured with two cabins and offering 1,904 seats each week.

Simon Hawkins, managing director of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation, said: “As the world’s premium island beach destination, we are highly dependent on the connectivity from the international airlines. To have a premium airline providing such a high frequency and quality of service as Etihad Airways is tremendously important for us.”

(Source:Piccsy.com)

This flight comes a week after Etihad also started flying to the Seychelles, further expanding their list of destinations. Etihad also has a number of code sharing agreements in place with partner airlines, making it more convenient for travellers as only one ticket is needed, even if transfers are involved.

The prize consists seven nights’ self-catering accommodation for four people in a shepherd’s hut on a working farm, situated on the northern edge of the Lake District. The winner will also be able to choose one of three additional prizes: a day’s mountain biking for four with Savvy Bikes; a Gyroplane flight for one with RS Gyroplanes; or a luxury food hamper from Cocklakes Farm Shop.

To enter the competition, you will need to register with the BBC Countryfile website, answer a simple question, and complete and submit the online competition entry form. Entries must be received by 11.59 p.m. on 15 February 2011. The winner must take the holiday before the end of July 2011 and will be responsible for their own travel costs to and from the destination.

Books suggested in the article include: Joanna Trollope’s new novel “The Other Family”; “The Slap”, by Christos Tsiolkas, which won the 2009 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize (Best Book); Ian McEwan’s “Solar”, which is an amusing tale of a scientist’s trek across the Arctic to research climate change; “Must You Go? My Life with Harold Pinter”, a memoir by the late dramatist’s wife, Antonia Fraser; and Carol Ann Duffy’s “Love Poems”.

The winner of the competition can choose a Brittany Ferries holiday programme up to the value of £1,000. To enter the competition, simply complete and submit the online form on the Brittany Ferries website. Entries must be received by the 31st July 2010 and the holiday must be taken before the 31st of October 2011.

The prize consists of: return flights for two from London to Bari; five nights’ accommodation at the 4-star Hotel Relais Sant’Eligio, in Ostuni; use of a rental car for 6 days; and a cooking lesson, in which you will learn how to make traditional Pugliese cuisine.

The winner must take the holiday within 12 notes of receiving notification that he or she has won, and the holiday is not available during the Christmas/New Year 2010 and Easter 2011 periods.

To enter the competition, complete the form on The Guardian’s website. Entries must be received by 23.59 on the 22nd of July 2010.

The prize consists of two return flights to America with British Airways and car hire for 7 days. The winner will be responsible for paying for all other costs, including accommodation and travel insurance, and will need to provide his or her own spending money.

You can enter the competition by completing and submitting the form (and answering the travel-related question) on Advantage’s website. Entries must be received by 30 June 2010 and the holiday must be taken before 20 December 2010.

The prize includes: return flights from London Heathrow to Montreal Trudeau Airport; five nights’ accommodation in the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal; a Montreal City Passport; a Montreal City walkng tour; a St Lawrence River white water rafting experience; train tickets to Quebec City; five nights’ accommodation at the Fairmont La Chateau Frontenac Hotel in Quebec; a walking tour of Quebec; and a fine foods tour.

To enter the draw, you will need to sign up to receive the Post Office’s newsletter using the online form on the Post Office’s website. Entries must be received by 20 June 2010, and the winner must be able to take the holiday between 01 September 2010 and 15 October 2010.

The prize, which is being offered in order to celebrate the release of the new Robin Hood movie, which has been directed by Ridley Scott and stars Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett, includes: 4 nights’ bed & breakfast accommodation in an IHG hotel in Nottingham; return rail tickets; a walking tour of Nottingham; an evening banquet; a trip to Sherwood Forest; and a trip to Lincoln.

You can enter the draw by completing the online form. Entires must be received by 300 June 2010.

The winner can take the holiday any time before 20 December 2011 (except for during the following periods: 23 December 2010 – 01 January 2011; 21 April 2011 – 30 April 2011; 28 May 2011 – 4 June 2011; and 23 July 2011 – 2 September 2011).

To enter the draw, visit the Visit Cornwall website and complete the online questionnaire about the website. Entries must be submitted by 31 August 2010.