With the Government approving the 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways to Etihad Airways, Etihad has announced major expansion of its Indian operations.
“Central to the Etihad Airways plan is the use of Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, as a global hub connecting international passengers and freight with flights to and from India. Pending the opening of a new facility, United States-bound passengers will be able to clear US immigration and customs at Abu Dhabi Airport,” the airline said in a statement.
The first stage of the Etihad Airways strategy includes additional flights or the introduction of larger aircraft on existing routes to India.
The initial flight increases by Etihad Airways are Mumbai and New Delhi: 7 to 14 flights per week (immediate), Kochi: 7 to 14 flights per week ( from June 2014), Bangalore and Chennai: 7 to 14 flights per week (July 2014) and Hyderabad: 7 to 14 flights per week (October 2014).
“As well as more flights, Etihad Airways is introducing larger aircraft in some markets,” the statement adds.
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 services, this includes introduction of First Class cabins on the evening A340 flights.
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.
Codesharing
Subject to regulatory approvals in a range of countries, Etihad Airways 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 U.S., via the Abu Dhabi hub, 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 Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways.