Despite the global uncertainties in recent years, UAE’s national airline Etihad Airways has persistently strengthened its business and elevated its world-class travel proposition. In last three years, including the Covid-induced pandemic, the airline has maintained a pragmatic approach to its overall network planning, allowing it to swiftly adapt to immediate demand and effectively serve its passengers.
The travel demand between the UAE and India is swiftly recovering and witnessing continued growth. In response to the dynamic market conditions, Salil Nath, General Manager, Indian Subcontinent, Etihad Airways in conversation with ETTravelWorld said the airline has displayed remarkable agility in adding new destinations where they identify demand and untapped opportunities, including the re-introduction of Kolkata route.
Talking about the revival from pandemic, Nath said the demand for its services has shown remarkable resilience, resulting in significant growth in its operations. “As the global travel market gradually recovers towards pre-pandemic levels, India stands out as an outstanding source market among APAC and western countries. Indian travellers, beyond the major metropolitan areas, demonstrate a growing interest in luxury experiences, cultural exploration, and international destinations,” he said.
He remains buoyant that Etihad’s primary focus for the current year centres on expanding its network and enhancing and innovating the customer offerings.
Focus on adding new opportunities
India occupies a significant position as one of the largest and most vital markets for Etihad Airways globally. The commemoration of our nineteen years of operations this year highlights the potential and opportunities presented by this market. Etihad, as a leading international airline in India, plays a pivotal role in facilitating travel and trade between the United Arab Emirates and India.
Shedding light on Etihad’s latest offerings, new routes and destinations, Nath said their approach to network planning has been grounded in practicality since the beginning, with a focus on adding new opportunities that align with the growth and demand patterns.
“Over time, our network has steadily expanded to encompass ten major cities, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi and Kolkata, our recently reinstated services. We have successfully connected a larger number of Indian travellers, particularly from regional and smaller gateways (non-metro/Tier II), to both Abu Dhabi and our extensive global network through our Air Arabia Abu Dhabi joint venture. Crucial entry points for this connectivity include Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. Moreover, we have enhanced our network by increasing services to Ahmedabad (now offering two daily flights), Chennai (twice daily), and Cochin (six additional weekly flights, totalling 13 weekly). To meet the demand, we have also introduced additional daily services to Delhi (three daily) and Mumbai (three daily), while simultaneously improving our global connectivity through increased flights to the United States,” Nath informed.
Leveraging summer travel season
Etihad is witnessing a substantial surge in travel from India, encompassing a diverse range of purposes such as leisure, business, education, and more. India, being one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, presents an immense opportunity for the airline. Currently, Etihad and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi jointly operate a network of 165 weekly flights to 10 crucial gateways.
In anticipation of the summer travel season, Nath mentioned that Etihad introduced limited time offers, that helped travellers in planning their ideal summer getaway. “This initiative also aimed to assist our guests in fulfilling their dream vacation to some of the most sought-after destinations within the extensive Etihad network,” he added.
“In 2022, a record 15.9 million guests travelled through Abu Dhabi, nearly threefold the number of visitors in 2021 at 5.26 million. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, which complements Etihad Airways’ services from the UAE capital, is contributing to this remarkable growth by catering to the growing low-cost travel market segment in the region,” said Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia.
Witnessing a growing appetite for unique and off-the-beaten-path experiences among the Indian population, improved air travel infrastructure and enhanced connectivity have significantly facilitated access to previously unexplored destinations.
Rising disposable incomes and a growing middle class have fostered a greater affinity among Indians for adventure. Etihad serves over 60 destinations across Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America, with new destinations announced including Lisbon, Copenhagen, Düsseldorf, Osaka, and summer hotspots like Málaga and Mykonos.
Sustainability key priority
Sustainability is a key priority for Etihad, which runs a comprehensive research and development programme to address aviation decarbonisation, working to reduce the impact of aviation on the environment by investing billions into its fleet of modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, research into sustainable aviation fuels, as well as carbon offsetting and reforestation through the Etihad Mangroves.
Nath said the airline will continue to take bold and innovative steps including partnering with aircraft and engine manufacturers, sustainable fuel suppliers, academia, and innovators to make flying more sustainable than it would be without such steps.
Etihad’s latest annual sustainability report shows it has achieved a 26 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions per Revenue Tonne Kilometre (RTK) in 2022 compared to the 2019 baseline.
