OREANDA-NEWS. Etihad Airways will grow its services to and from Sydney, with the airline to upgauge its daily 777-300ER Abu Dhabi service to the A380 from June next year.

“We're always delighted to welcome more A380s at Sydney Airport,” Sydney Airport chief executive officer Kerrie Mather said.

“We were proud to welcome the first commercial A380 service in 2007 and Etihad will be our fifth airline to fly the A380 to Sydney.

Etihad will also switch its four weekly A340-600 to a B777-300ER from 1 June 2015.

“Sydney Airport will be Etihad's second A380 destination after London Heathrow and these upgauges will add a total of 137,000 additional seats a year,” Ms Mather said.

“We have supported Etihad in the development of its services and customer product at Sydney Airport including the new first and business class lounge that opened earlier this year.

“The A380 has changed commercial aviation and is increasingly popular with passengers, due to the greater comfort and space available onboard.

“According to Deloitte Access Economics, a daily A380 service from this region adds USD 342 million to the economy a year and generates 4,400 jobs.

“Together with the B787 Dreamliner, new generation quieter aircraft are making aviation more efficient while improving amenity for communities near the airport.”