Hogan (centre right) and Walker (centre left), who announced the award during the carrier’s celebration of the start of its A380 service between New York and Abu Dhabi, being joined by Hareb Almuhairy, Etihad Airways senior vice-president, corporate and international affairs (second right); Martin Drew, Etihad Airways senior vice-president, The Americas (second left); and members of the cabin crew.

Etihad Airways has been named Airline of the Year 2016 by the US-based aviation industry publication, Air Transport World (ATW).
The competition saw entries from more than 100 airlines around the world.
“The award recognises Etihad Airways’ clear vision, its successful organic growth supplemented by a unique partnership strategy, its commercial focus that has delivered net profits in each of the last four years, the rapid growth of its highly motivated workforce, its development of innovative products and services, including The Residence by Etihad, and the airline’s strong executive leadership,” the airline said in a statement yesterday.
Air Transport World editor-in-chief Karen Walker said, “I am absolutely delighted to recognise Etihad Airways as ATW’s Airline of the Year 2016.”
James Hogan, Etihad Airways president and CEO, said: “I am pleased to accept this award on behalf of the 27,000 employees of the Etihad Airways group around the world.”
News of the award was announced during a reception hosted in New York by Etihad Airways to mark the arrival of its Airbus A380 daily service from Abu Dhabi to America’s financial capital.
Etihad Airways was recognised for “fast but thoughtful growth, consistently delivering against its targets and always thinking ahead”.
The airline was also applauded for its “excellent numbers on financials, cargo and safety, its unique partnership strategy that was paying dividends, a willingness to be bold in equity tie-ups boosting the number over the past 12 months to include Etihad Regional and Alitalia, and its strategy of developing ground-breaking strategic contracts with suppliers”.
ATW also spoke highly of Etihad Airways’ “consistently diplomatic, dignified and assured response to attacks by US airlines on Gulf carriers” in which Etihad Airways had developed a powerful defence of its business model and strategy.
The Airline of the Year award will be presented in a gala dinner at the 42nd edition of the annual ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards, taking place during the Singapore Air Show on February 15, 2016.


Related Story