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29 March 2024

Etihad boosts services to India

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By Staff

Etihad Airways has doubled the number of flights and tripled the number of seats to Mumbai and New Delhi, adding a second daily service and introducing wide-bodied jets on both routes from Abu Dhabi, effective immediately.

The airline has also detailed out plans for a major expansion drive into India next year, with increasing capacity to Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi and Hyderabad.

Announcing its expanded schedules to major Indian gateways Mumbai and New Delhi, Etihad revealed new mid-afternoon services to Mumbai and New Delhi, each seating 136 passengers, while existing late evening departures have been upgraded to a larger aircraft.

On the Abu Dhabi-Mumbai route, the evening flight is now operated with 292-seat aircraft, seating 12 passengers in first class, 32 in business class and 248 in economy.

This is the first Indian route on which Etihad Airways has offered first class.

The A340 will add 2,044 seats per week from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai, taking the total from 952 to 2,996 seats in each direction – just over triple the previous capacity.

On the Abu Dhabi-New Delhi route, the evening service has been upgraded to a 254-seat aircraft, seating 18 guests in business class and 236 in economy.

This will add 1,778 seats per week to and from New Delhi, increasing from 952 seats to 2,730 in each direction – almost triple the previous capacity.
The new Etihad flights will also be marketed by Jet Airways as an extension of the airlines’ existing codeshare partnership.

President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, James Hogan, said the increased capacity on both routes was in response to growing demand for more seats and delivered more schedule choice between Abu Dhabi and India’s two largest cities.

“India is a significant and growing market for us,” Hogan said. “These increases enable us to serve not only the local traffic demands between Abu Dhabi and India, but also to deliver much greater international connectivity for business and leisure guests.

“Travellers from India will have more opportunities to connect with flights to destinations including Abu Dhabi, the GCC, Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America, while those flying to India will benefit from additional seats and more schedule options, providing greater travel flexibility.”

Indian expansion

Etihad has commenced with a major expansion of its Indian operations following the approval of the 24 per cent investment in Jet Airways.
The first stage will also include additional flights or the introduction of larger aircraft on existing routes to India, with Kochi doubling from seven to 14 flights per week from June 2014.

Bangalore and Chennai will also double to 14 flights per week each, from July 2014; while Hyderabad will do the same from October 2014.
As well as more flights, Etihad is introducing larger aircraft in markets.

New Airbus A321 aircraft, seating 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 Airways 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 Airways will also codeshare on new flights by Jet Airways’ between India and the US, via the Abu Dhabi hub, subject to regulatory approval.

Etihad’s Hogan added: “Through our purchase of 24 per cent 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.

“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.

The airline stated that a key benefit of the Etihad 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 cooperation than can be achieved through a standard commercial partnership,” Hogan said. “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.”

Etihad Cargo moves 49,700 tons in November

Etihad Cargo, part of UAE flag carrier Etihad Airways, has posted an all-time record for the amount of freight carried on its network.

In November, Etihad Cargo moved 49,700 tons of cargo around the world, the most it has ever carried in one month, and up 52 per cent (32,663 tons) on the same period last year.

This surpassed the previous month of October, where cargo carried totalled an impressive 45,830 tons, up 39 per cent (32,891 tons) year on year.
The figures reflect Etihad Cargo’s continued upward momentum in what has been a record year to date.

Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways’ Chief Strategy and Planning Officer, said:  “These impressive figures have been driven largely by stronger performance into and out of some of our larger markets including China and India, as well as expanding markets such as the Netherlands and the United States.

“The record performance is also a reflection of strong demand in the final quarter, improved capacity utilisation on our freighter fleet, more cargo in the bellyhold of our passenger aircraft, and enhancements at our Abu Dhabi hub through subsidiary Etihad Airport Services – Cargo.

Etihad Cargo’s Abu Dhabi hub had its best ever performance in November, where over the top five days it processed an average of 3,000 tons per day – a new record.

Knight concluded:  “Looking ahead, we expect to maintain strong freight performance over the final month of 2013.”