Etihad Airways has commenced operations to Japan with the launch of its Nagoya service.

The airline will initially service the route four times a week, via Beijing, increasing to five flights a week from March 29, operating a two-class A330.

Etihad will further expand its Japan operations with the launch of Abu Dhabi to Tokyo services on March 27.

With the addition of Nagoya and Tokyo to its network, Etihad offers services to eight destinations in the Far East and 60 worldwide.

In addition to its own operations, Etihad will also offer codeshare services with Japan's ANA, effective March 1, giving Etihad passengers connections from Nagoya to Chitose and Fukuoka and through Tokyo's Narita Airport to Osaka, and for ANA passengers, connections to Etihad's worldwide network via Abu Dhabi.