Etihad Airways Expands Service to India

Sunday, 15th December 2013 at 16:55pm

After its 24% stake purchase of Jet Airways a few months ago, Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates' national flag carrier, has announced recently that it is expanding its service to India.

To recall, Etihad bought a 24% stake in Jet Airways in the middle of this year following the easing of restrictions by the Indian government on foreign direct investment (FDI) in local carriers last year.

With its partnership with Jet Airways, the Abu Dhabi-based airline is now in an aggressive mode to expand its operations in the subcontinent with the addition of flight frequencies to major destinations in India. Effective immediately, Etihad will double its weekly frequency to Mumbai and New Delhi, two of India's largest markets.

By June next year, Kochi will see an increase of frequency too, while Bangalore and Chennai will each receive increased frequency simultaneously from Etihad by July 2014. Hyderabad will also have its service frequency increased starting October 2014. Together, Etihad will be operating 14 flights per week to these seven Indian destinations.

The airline will also upgrade its aircraft, particularly its service to Mumbai and New Delhi, by using the wide-body A340 and A330 jets.

Codeshare agreement between the two airlines is now in the process and if approved, they plan to codeshare flights between their respective home countries as well as most destinations in their combined route networks.

Etihad CEO and President, James Hogan, declared that India remains to be an important market for the airline's growth. He acknowledged the country as among the largest and fastest-growing travel market in the world.

He further said that the substantial equity purchase it made in Jet Airways will strengthen their alliance beyond normal commercial partnership. With this type of union, he confessed, they can save on costs and improve efficiencies through knowledge transfer, resource sharing and even joint procurement.

The two airlines also explore the idea of merging their loyal programmes, share offices and airport facilities, employ joint training for their staffs and joint sales and marketing efforts where necessary.

Etihad Airways has also substantial stakes in Air Seychelles and airberlin, at 40% and 29% respectively; as well as minority stakes in other two airlines, Virgin Australia at 19.9% and Aer Lingus at 3%. As soon as the deal with Lugano-based Darwin Airline is complete, where it has purchased 33.3% stake, it will also have a regional airline by March 2014 by rebranding Darwin to Etihad Regional. By January next year, it will also formally complete its 49% stake purchase of Air Serbia.

By: .

Cheap Flight Search

Depart From:
Arrive At:
Departure Date:
Return Date:
Currency:
Passengers:

Sign up for the India Flights updates!

For all the latest news on India flights 'like' us now:

Skypicker banner