(Photo Etihad Airways)
ETIHAD AIRWAYS has marked its 20th birthday with the publication of a bold new growth plan. The company’s new chief executive Antonoaldo Neves described the project – named Journey 2030 – as a pivotal turning point for the airline.
The most eye-catching elements of the scheme include a major rampingup of its fleet and destinations. By 2030, it is projected that the UAE national carrier will serve more than 125 locations (for context, the airline currently flies to around 70 cities, while Emirates and Qatar Airways fly to more than 150 global airports). Some existing links will also see a boost in frequencies and the size of aircraft deployed. To support the sharp rise in cities served, the Etihad fleet is due to double in size to more than 160 airframes. There will be a focus on connecting short- and medium-haul destinations in the Gulf region, India and Asia with long-haul European and North American cities. Between January and November 2023 alone, the airline welcomed 16 new aircraft to its roster.