According to executives at the Abu Dhabi-based airline, strength of demand for the new route indicates that it will have a significant impact on both the corporate and leisure sectors in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East, says a press release.

"This non-stop service between the UAE and the Malaysian capital is set to be one of our most popular, with a high volume of traffic direct from the Middle East, and also from European Guests, looking to travel via Abu Dhabi to Malaysia on business or vacation," said James Hogan, CEO of Etihad Airways.