James Hogan, president and chief executive officer of Etihad Airways poses with flight crew on the maiden flight from Abu Dhabi to Shanghai on Thursday. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, launched its first scheduled non-stop flights from Abu Dhabi to Shanghai on Thursday.

The airline will initially operate five weekly Airbus A330-300 services to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, with commitments to a daily schedule from April 15, said James Hogan, president and chief executive officer of Etihad Airways.

"The new route has special significance as the first non-stop commercial passenger flight between Abu Dhabi and Shanghai," Hogan said, adding that the new Shanghai route adds much more than just another destination to the Etihad Airways global network.

"We believe it will bring the two cities closer and create new opportunities for trade, tourism and cultural exchanges," he said.

He said the airline has great confidence the Shanghai route will contribute to a sustainable future for its passenger and cargo business in China.

Etihad Airways, which began operations in 2003, handled 8.3 million passengers in 2011. It now serves 84 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America with a fleet of 66 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.