Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways said its cargo revenue grew 59 percent in the first half of 2010 as increased traffic pushed up passenger figures 11 percent.

The airline carried 3.3 million passengers in the period, recording a 72.5 percent seat factor, while cargo tonnage increased 22 percent from a year earlier, reported Reuters. Revenue passenger kilometres was up 22.6 percent over the same period last year.

Revenue figures were not released.

"Despite the continuing economic challenges faced by all airlines, our investment in infrastructure and in our service offer is paying off," chief executive officer James Hogan said.

The airline will operate a total of 1,032 flights a week this summer, a 16 per cent rise from a year earlier.

"With this continued improvement in our passenger and cargo traffic, particularly in the premium cabins, we are confident of meeting our targets," Hogan said.

Source: schednet