Etihad Airways, battling to distinguish itself from rival Gulf Arab carriers, has bought 200 hens and three beehives as part of the fight to win customers by appealing to their palates. The state-backed Abu Dhabi airline said yesterday its new hens and bees will produce eggs and honey to be served exclusively to its passengers. The airline is also developing “a line of signature pickles”, all grown at an organic farm in Abu Dhabi. “We are thrilled to be the only airline in the world offering organic eggs and honey directly from our own locally raised hens and bees,” Etihad said in a statement detailing its poultry plans.