One of the world's fastest-growing airlines may decide within weeks to begin direct flights between Dublin and Abu Dhabi, with onward connections to Australia and major centres in Asia.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern yesterday held two hours of talks with James Hogan, chief executive of Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi-based national airline of the United Arab Emirates and other senior company executives.
The airline was established four years ago.
The direct flights, planned to run four times a week, would cut hours off the journey time to Australia and Asia for Irish travellers, who currently have to make two connections in Europe and Asia to reach Australian destinations.
Etihad executive Vijay Poonoosamy said the airline was "seriously considering" opening the service "in the near future - sometime this year", and that the issue would go to the company's board shortly.
The airline announced a week ago that it would begin daily flights to Australia from Abu Dhabi following a bilateral aviation agreement between the United Arab Emirates and the Australian government.
Etihad's growth, backed by the Abu Dhabi authorities, and nearby Dubai's decision to build a new airport capable of dealing with 120 million passengers a year, threatens to damage Heathrow and continental European airports' dominance of long-distance travel.
Abu Dhabi, the oil-rich capital of the United Arab Emirates, is the wealthiest of all of the seven emirates and is a 90-minute drive from Dubai. It is building a new airport which it intends to open within four years. The prospect of direct Abu Dhabi flights opens the possibility of three direct services between Dublin and the Gulf region, which is already served by Aer Lingus to Dubai, while Gulf Air serves Bahrain.
Etihad's chief executive, Mr Hogan, worked for Gulf Air in the same capacity up to recently.
The two airlines, along with Emirates Airlines, are in fierce competition as they strive to establish major hubs in the region.
Emirates, the Dubai-based carrier, is also considering opening a direct connection to Dublin, though sources close to the Taoiseach indicate this could be up to two years away.
Mr Ahern has directed Irish officials to discuss Etihad's requirements with the Dublin Airport Authority on their return to Dublin following the conclusion of a successful week-long trade mission to Saudi Arabia and Dubai since Monday.
Asked if there was a danger of too much capacity arriving too soon on the route, Mr Poonoosamy said Abu Dhabi intends to spend $136 billion (€104 billion) on infrastructure over the next few years.
"From a business perspective, the opportunities that arise for Irish companies in the areas where they have an interest, or an edge, are really tremendous," he told The Irish Times yesterday.
In addition, Far East and Australian-bound travellers would find transiting through Abu Dhabi far easier than the choices currently offered by airlines, he suggested.