[Sarah C]

Breaking News from Travel Daily:

V Australia to operate to Abu Dhabi - but out of Africa and Thailand

Virgin Blue has just announced a $21.3 million net profit for the year to 30 Jun, as well as revealing a "major new partnership" with Etihad Airways.

The deal will enable V Australia to launch non-stop services to Abu Dhabi in 2011, with the two airlines set to offer a joint network of more than 100 destinations from 01 Oct.

V Australia will operate three weekly Sydney-Abu DHabi services per week from Feb 2011, as well as three Brisbane-Abu Dhabi flights by February 2012, while the agreement will also see DJ customers able to access the EY network of 65 destinations.

Reciprocally, all Virgin Blue services will available to Etihad customers, with the agreement also integrating the Etihad Guest and Velocity frequent flyer programs.

Virgin Blue ceo John Borghetti said the alliance would allow the carrier to redefine its long haul operation and unlock a "genuine global network.

"This is a real game changer and positions us as a truly global player," he said.

Borghetti also announced the second phase of the Virgin Blue network review, which will see Virgin Blue add two wide-body A330-200 aircraft to its domestic fleet to provide "additional flexibility, capacity and product opportunities to better penetrate both the leisure, corporate and government markets".

V Australia will also suspend its flights to South Africa and Phuket, in addition to the previously announced withdrawal of its Fiji services. The Johannesburg and Phuket services will cease operation in Feb 2011, Borghetti said.