"We definitely see potential in making Dublin an originating point, " the global CEO of Etihad, James Hogan, told the Sunday Tribune.

"Traditionally air traffic going around the world would have originated from London, Paris and Amsterdam. Flights from Dublin going to Abu Dhaibi or Asian cities like Bangkok and Shanghai would have connected through those other cities. More flights could be originating out of Dublin, " said the Australian former president of Gulf Air.

Etihad is the national airline for the United Arab Emirates and describe itself as the "world's fastest growing airline" after being set up in 2003.

For the past four years the airline has been competing aggressively with Emirates who Hogan described as "another Gulf airline".

He believes developing business in non-traditional European hubs such as Dublin will be a key future strategy for the group who recently acquired 10 new aircraft.

"Dublin is a highly sophisticated air-travel market and is truly multisegmented, " he said.

"You have a large number of business people who regularly fly around the world - it's a particularly globalised economy. In Ireland we see great connectivity with the US because of the history of immigration and there is also a huge backpacker market and the visiting families of those who are backpacking. You also see a lot of health workers travelling from the Philippines to Dublin, " he added.

This week Etihad announced it will be offering the first direct flights from Dublin to Abu Dhabi, two flights a week to start off with from August.

It came after many months of detailed discussions between Ethihad and the Dublin Airport Authority, who expressed their delight at the deal.

Etihad expects the service to expand once it takes off and are looking to use Abu Dhaibi as a onestop flight to destinations such as Sydney, Bangkok, Shanghai and India.

"Not everyone likes sitting on the one flight for 10 or 12 or more hours and we will be offering one-stop flights with a three-hour break to a connecting flight, " said Hogan.

Passengers can be entertained by the 100 inflight movies and video games that will be on offer.

Etihad plans to maximise its market share in the short term and will be offering "very competitive rates" to Irish customers.