You know a company is busy when theyโre issuing press releases at a rate of more than one a day. And it’s been one of those weeks for Etihad. So let’s take a moment to break it down…
Starting off with the announcement of ten new destinations coming in 2025 (see full details here). The airline also shared itโs 2023 Environmental report; revealed a new Chennai Super Kings themed livery; won a few awards; promoted their White Friday online fare sale; and even issued tips for travellers wanting to avoid the stress of the end of year holiday rush.
First things first
This weekโs network announcement takes the number of upcoming Etihad route launches to 13, continuing the airline’s recent impressive growth, (or re-growth) trajectory. Etihad has expanded significantly in 2024 adding 10 new destinations whilst also increasing frequencies to their existing network. Many Etihad destinations, especially in Europe, now offer at least daily services. This momentum is set to continue into 2025 and beyond.
During an intimate media roundtable hosted at the start of the week, Antonoaldo Neves, Etihadโs CEO, and Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, stressed the importance of network and schedule. These are primary factors guests consider, even before price and product, when deciding which carrier to select. This is perhaps self-evident. When choosing an airline, a passenger starts by searching for a carrier to connect them to where they need to fly to, by a time they need to arrive by. This step typically occurs before a guests even considers how much it will cost them. Onboard creature comforts such as pyjamas and high speed wifi, whilst nice to have, typically fall even further down the list in terms of purchase decision requirements.
Etihad enters the chat
So what does this all mean?
By building depth and breadth to their network, Etihad will appear in more passenger travel searches more often. This is crucial because it’s only if an airline is within this consideration mix that they are able to compete on price and on product.
Etihad has traditionally focused on the quality of their onboard and on ground experiences, so by now pairing this with an even more competitive network, the airline is hoping to improve the return on investment they’ve made on product.
Speaking of which, the airline executives also mentioned an extensive retrofit program is already underway as the carrier aims to maintain a level of product quality across its fleet. This is an important consideration for the airline as it enters its third decade of operation and a wise step to limit or reduce product inconsistency. Nothing worse than that sinking feeling when you board an aircraft and realise the seat you’re flying is not the seat you saw in an Airline’s latest advertising campaign.
Breathing room
The airlineโs desire to immediately grow their network is, however, constrained by ongoing delays in aircraft deliveries that continue to also affect other airlines in the region.
Despite this challenge, by announcing destinations in advance, a silver silver lining has been created, providing Etihad’s operational teams and sales teams a runway to prepare, market, promote and sell the services.
Come launch times, this should result in healthier load factors and better yields than are often missed in situations where an airline launch a destination in a last-minute panic. We do, though, spare a thought for the operational teams who will be launching five inaugurals during the first week of November (Tunis, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Hong Kong and Algiers). No doubt a few late nights ahead.
Hey Good Looking – periya Whistle Adinga
This week, Etihad revealed it’s first Airbus A320neo will carry a special Chennai Super Kings livery. Designed to promote the airline’s partnership with the India Premier League (IPL) cricket team, the aircraft is 20% more fuel efficient than previous generation aircraft. Of course it’s fitting that the first flight will be to Chennai in December.
Etihad’s Elves to help ease holiday hassles
With the end of year holiday rush looming for all airlines, Etihad has jumped on the front foot, issuing advice for agents and travellers to prepare in advance of the end of year holiday rush.
The airline is offering a number of services to try alieve the stress and troubles that can plague airports during the festive season.
This year Etihad is providing a number of offsite check-in and bag-drop facilities. Travellers will even be incentivised with a bonus 1,000 Etihad Guest Miles if they make use of the below locations between 28 November to 27 December:
- Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal (open 24-hours)
- The Fountains โ YAS Mall (open from 10am to 10pm)
- Mussafah (open from 10am to 10pm) 38 Al Arzaq Street, Mussafah Shabia-11, Behind Al Madina Hypermarket
- Al Ain (open from 10am till 10pm) Lulu Hypermarket Kuwaitat, Shakhboot Bin Sultan St, Central District
Santa’s little helpers
Travellers can even start their journey at home with check-in available through MORAFIQ. For AED185, the Check-in fairies will arrive at your house, collect your bags, check-you in, choose your seat and issue your boarding passes. This service is available up to to five hours before departure. Pricing starts from AED 185 and anything to avoid travel chaos is definitely the gift that keeps on giving.
For Full Story from earlier in the week click below
