The company, which is part of the Abu Dhabi-based airline group, previously used Funway Holidays to put together its packages.

However, having secured its own licence it will embark on a marketing and advertising drive to raise awareness of the relaunched offering. And unlike some other airline tour operators, Etihad Holidays is eschewing the direct route and targeting the trade.

“We will offer a commission to travel agents… [and] we’ll have full suite of products in our travel agent system,” said Gurdeep Singh Shinji, manager of Etihad Holidays (UK).

As well as ramping up its presence in the UK, Etihad is also relaunching Etihad Vacations in the US.

Alongside packages to Abu Dhabi, Etihad Holidays will also offer trips to other destinations, including India,the Maldives, east Africa and Australia.

Shinji added: “We don’t just see ourselves as a tour operator… We do work very closely with the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and we’re working… with them on developing the destination and bringing it to the forefront [for] travellers here in the UK.”

Further details about Etihad Holidays’ plans will be revealed at an event in London tonight.