Abu Dhabi-owned airline Etihad Airways said on Wednesday it projected a 15 percent boost in passenger numbers for 2009 to seven million and revenue of $3-billion for the year.

In a statement, the carrier said it had "achieved more than $2.5-billion in revenues in 2008 and is targeting $3-billion in 2009, an increase of 20 per cent."

The statement said the carrier planned to extend its global flight network to 55 destinations this year and increase its fleet to more than 50 aircraft.

The new destinations are Athens, Chicago, Istanbul, Larnaca and Melbourne, it said.

"Etihad flew six million passengers in 2008 to 50 routes with a fleet of 42 aircraft," the statement said.

"The aviation industry is facing its toughest challenge for many years as a result of the current global economic crisis, but Etihad Airways will seek to continue its expansion plans during 2009," chief executive James Hogan said.

The first commercial flight operated by Etihad was in November 2003.