German carrier Air Berlin, which is part-owned by Etihad Airways, has said cost cuts are expected to improve its performance this year after soaring fuel prices and a new air travel tax led to a bigger loss for 2011, Reuters has reported. “Air Berlin is now able, through major course corrections and other actions, to detect positive effects, and therefore to look to the future with optimism,” said Air Berlin’s chief executive, Hartmut Mehdorn. The airline also announced plans to share its Dreamliner programme with Etihad, which raised its stake in Air Berlin to almost 30% in December.