ETIHAD Airways, the national airline of the UAE, is celebrating a year of record-breaking success after achieving its highest-ever passenger and cargo volumes last year. Nearly 12 million people flew with Etihad Airways in 2013, marking a significant increase of nearly 16 per cent over 2012.
Bangkok was once again the airline’s busiest route, with a total of 742,759 passengers flying to Thailand’s capital city in 2013, a year-on-year increase of seven per cent.
Manila was second in line with 547,068 passengers, followed by London with 544,564 passengers, Jeddah with 373,651 passengers and Paris with 338,969 passengers.
Etihad Airways carried 73 per cent of the 16.4 million passengers who travelled through Abu Dhabi airport in 2013. With the addition of the airline’s equity alliance partners that operate flights into Abu Dhabi, the combined total rises to 79 per cent of passenger traffic at Abu Dhabi airport.
President and chief executive officer James Hogan said: “Our record-breaking numbers in 2013 reflect the continued success of our strategic master plan, which focuses on three fundamental pillars – organic network growth, the forging of codeshare partnerships and minority equity investments in other airlines.
“We also continued to support Abu Dhabi’s growth as a leading international travel hub, while facilitating trade to and from the country.”
Six destinations were introduced to Etihad Airways’ network in 2013, with new services to Washington DC, Amsterdam, Sao Paulo, Belgrade, Sana’a and Ho Chi Minh City.
Flight frequency was also increased on 18 existing routes last year and new codeshare agreements were signed with Kenya Airways, Air Serbia, South African Airways, Belavia, Korean Airlines, Air Canada and airBaltic.
During 2013, building on its organic growth, Etihad Airways also expanded its codeshare and equity partnerships, which delivered more than 1.8 million passengers onto Etihad Airways flights, 38 per cent higher than the 1.3 million in 2012.
In addition to its four existing equity partners – airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia and Aer Lingus – Etihad Airways announced investments in three additional carriers in 2013.
The airline also formalised a five-year contract to manage Serbia’s national carrier, Air Serbia (formerly Jat Airways), with a 49 per cent equity stake as well as obtained regulatory approval from the Indian government to finalise a 24 per cent investment in Jet Airways, and announced its intention to acquire 33.3 per cent of the Swiss regional carrier Darwin Airline.
Impressive cargo growth was also reported, with 486,753 tonnes of freight and mail flown by Etihad Airways last year, a staggering increase of 32 per cent compared to 2012 volumes. The airline accounted for 89 per cent of cargo imports, exports and transfers at Abu Dhabi airport last year.
Last year, Etihad Airways took delivery of eight Airbus aircraft – four A320s, one A321, two A330-200s and one A330 freighter), eight Boeing aircrafts (six 777-300ERs and two 777 freighters), and added further leased capacity which included the airline’s inaugural 747-8 freighter.
Its fleet now comprises 89 aircraft, with an average age of only 5.2 years.
Hogan added: “It has been another game-changing year. Our service enhancements in 2013, from the launch of our Flying Nanny service to the continued rollout of wi-fi internet and live television across our fleet, highlight a commitment to delivering best-in-class products and services.”