Record-breaking month for Etihad- Air_Shipping

Record-breaking month for Etihad

Source:aircargoweek 2013-12-17 9:27:00

A total of 49,700 tonnes of cargo was carried by the airline, continuing October's upward momentum when the carrier saw volumes surge 39 per cent year-on-year to 45,830 tonnes. Chief strategy and planning officer, Kevin Knight, says: "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 carrier's Abu Dhabi hub also broke records in November, having processed an average of 3,000 tonnes per day during its busiest five days. "The record performance is 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," adds Knight. Major expansions have been made by Etihad throughout 2013, with several acquisitions and investments in other airlines. Pending regulatory approval, the carrier intends to acquire 33.3 per cent of Agno (Switzerland) based Darwin Airline. January will see Etihad activate a 49 per cent stake in Air Serbia and it has invested 29 per cent in low-cost carrier airberlin. Etihad has also made an investment in an Indian carrier with the purchase of a 24 per cent share of Jet Airways. Other investments made in 2013 include, 40 per cent in Air Seychelles, 19.9 per cent in Virgin Australia and three per cent in Irish carrier Aer Lingus. President and chief executive officer of Etihad Airways, James Hogan, says: "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." As a result of Etihad's acquisition of Jet Airways, the United Arab Emirates carrier has begun expanding its operation in the sub-continent. A number of formerly narrow-body routes will now be served by wide-body aircraft, with the Abu Dhabi-Mumbai and Abu Dhabi-New Delhi routings being upgraded to Airbus A340 and Airbus A330 services. "India is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing air travel markets, and will play an increasingly important role in our growth," adds Hogan. Subject to regulatory approvals from the Indian authorities, Etihad and Jet Airways will also launch code-shares on flights between India, the US, and in other North American, Middle Eastern and European markets.

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Record-breaking month for Etihad