Etihad Airways To Focus On Aircraft Acquisitions Starting October

Charmaine Fernz - Mumbai

Having established their mark in the Indian aviation scenario, Etihad Airways has new plans lined up in the coming months. Says Charles Phelps-Penry, general manager - South Asia, Etihad Airways, "In a recent development, we have launched a revamped website which portrays different facets of the destination. However, this year we are not launching as many routes as last year. Starting October 2005, we would be receiving our new Boeing 777 aircraft, a total of five with a delivery of one every month from Jan-Feb 2006. We have also placed an order of 24 aircraft, which we would subsequently get over a period of two years. Its only post acquiring our aircraft we would look at launching more routes. As of now we operate to 16 destinations from Abu Dhabi and would look at increasing the flights per week. After our aircraft acquisition the next phase would be looking at areas of improvement and growth. On the Frequent Flyer Programme (FFP) that is a much talked about subject for us, we are working at it and have taken on a new manager for the same. We hopefully would look at introducing a unique FFP in the next nine months as we recognize the loyalty of our passenger and see the need to reward them."

Elaborating further Penry added, "Apart from the new aircraft, we are looking at launching new products on board in terms of new seats, cabin interiors, menus, which would all undergo a radical change. We are definitely looking at launching at least two points in the Southern market by the end of the year. Our considerations are destinations such as Trivandrum, Kochi, Calicut, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. And finally, during the period of our new aircraft acquisitions, we would be doing different types of promotions."