Etihad launches major expansion of India operations

Etihad Airways has commenced major expansion of its Indian operations following the recent full approval of its 24% investment in Jet Airways.

Central to the Etihad’s plan is the use of Abu Dhabi as a global hub, connecting international passengers and freight with flights to and from India.

Pending the opening of a new facility, US-bound passengers will be able to clear US immigration and customs at Abu Dhabi Airport.

The first stage of the Etihad strategy includes additional flights or the introduction of larger aircraft on existing routes to India.

Under this, Etihad will operate to Mumbai and New Delhi between seven and 14 flights a week with immediate effect.

To Kochi in Kerala, the UAE’s national carrier will operate between seven and 14 flights a week from June 2014.

Etihad will operate to Bangalore and Chennai between seven and 14 flights a week from July next year.

The carrier will operate between seven and 14 flights a week to Hyderabad from October 2014.

Etihad is also introducing larger aircraft in some markets.

On the Abu Dhabi-Mumbai and Abu Dhabi–New Delhi routes, evening flights with narrow-bodied Airbus A320s have been upgraded to wide-bodied Airbus A340 and A330 jets. On the Mumbai sector, this includes introduction of first class cabins on the evening A340 flights.

New Airbus A321 aircraft, seating some 174 passengers, will be used on all Abu Dhabi-Chennai services, and between Abu Dhabi and Kochi from June 2014.

Subject to regulatory approvals in a range of countries, Etihad and Jet also plan to codeshare on each other’s flights between Abu Dhabi, India and other markets in the Middle East, North America and Europe.

Etihad will also codeshare on new flights by Jet between India and the US via Abu Dhabi, subject to regulatory approval.

“India is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing air travel markets, and will play an increasingly important role in our growth,” said James Hogan, president and CEO of Etihad Airways.

“Through our purchase of 24% of Jet Airways – the first foreign investment permitted in an Indian airline – we have laid the foundations for major and exciting growth in air services between Abu Dhabi and India, and beyond throughout our global network,” Hogan said.

“Subject to receiving regulatory approvals, we will continue to expand our Abu Dhabi – India operations and work with our growing stable of partners to accommodate strong growth and deliver much greater choice for travel to and from India.”

The changes are not confined to flight operations.

A key benefit of the Etihad’s equity alliance is the ability of member airlines to work together not only to increase revenues but to reduce costs.

“Our equity alliance enables much deeper co-operation than can be achieved through a standard commercial partnership. In addition to joint activities which increase revenue, the relationships we have with our equity partners enable us to reduce costs and increase efficiencies through activities such as resource sharing, knowledge transfer and joint procurement,” Hogan said.