Etihad Airways, operating 185 flights a week across 11 Indian cities, is focusing on premium travel, customer segmentation and strategic partnerships to drive growth in India, one of its top three global markets, a senior official said. With a cap on additional flights, the Abu Dhabi-based airline is seeking “smart ways” to increase revenue, central to which is upgrading its offerings to attract high-value travellers, said Etihad Airways Vice President for Global Sales and Distribution Javier Alija.
The airline is utilising 100 per cent of its allocated capacity under the bilateral agreement between India and the UAE, which limits Abu Dhabi-based airlines to 50,000 seats per week. “We fly to 11 cities. We fly all the seats that the bilateral agreement allows us,” Alija said. The 50,000-seat limit is shared between Etihad and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi. “Until there is a change in the bilateral agreement, a discussion solely for the governments, we will not be able to add more frequencies or destinations,” he added.
To overcome capacity constraints, Etihad has partnered with Akasa Air, connecting four Indian cities to Abu Dhabi in cooperation with the carrier. For long-haul travellers, especially those heading to the United States, Alija highlighted the benefits of transiting through Abu Dhabi’s new airport terminal, calling it a “pleasant and efficient” hub. Etihad is also the only airline in the region offering US Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance in Abu Dhabi, allowing passengers to arrive in the US as domestic travellers.
Kolkata has become the first Indian city to receive Etihad’s new A321 LR aircraft, featuring a widebody-like cabin experience with only 160 seats, including two first-class suites, 14 business class seats and 144 economy seats. “This is an industry-first interior designed to recreate the widebody experience,” Alija said, noting the deployment reflects Kolkata’s strong premium travel potential.
Etihad’s focus on yield optimisation and operational efficiency has delivered record financial results, driven by higher revenue and efficient capacity use. The airline expects 21-22 per cent growth in seat capacity, 22-23 per cent rise in revenue, and 30 per cent growth in profit for the current year. Alija said the airline plans to launch 13 new international routes by year-end and remains committed to sustaining growth without compromising profitability.
“We are very conscious that our rapid growth should not compromise the financial gains we have achieved,” he added.
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