Etihad’s Ambitious Expansion Plan in India: A New Era of Aviation, Unveiled by Salil Nath, 2023
Etihad’s Ambitious Expansion Plan in India: A New Era of Aviation, Unveiled by Salil Nath, 2023
Due to barely operating 40,000 of the 50,000 authorised tickets, the airline’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi still has 10,000 open seats each week.
Salil Nath, the airline’s country manager for India, told FE that Etihad Airways, located in Abu Dhabi, has plans to increase frequency on existing routes while also commencing new ones to grow operations in India.
Due to the airline’s weekly seat allotment to and from India under the bilateral air service agreement going unused, it has decided to expand.
Due to barely operating 40,000 of the 50,000 authorised tickets, the airline’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi still has 10,000 open seats each week.
“Etihad still has seats available, and we are planning for future expansion via new flights to gateway destinations in India or additional frequencies on our present network,” Nath said to FE.
One hundred sixty-five weekly flights are now operated by the joint venture between Etihad and Abu Dhabi Air Arabia to 10 gateways in India. The airline offers service to Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram through the joint venture.
In 2023, the airline’s network in India would have grown by 54%, according to Nath.
According to the company, our network connection has expanded from 77 weekly flights in 2022 to 118 weekly flights in 2019 and 165 for the Etihad and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi JV.
The airline recently boosted service to Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Cochin while restarting service to Kolkata and expanding its network.
“Three daily services to Delhi and three daily services to Mumbai have been added, and we have improved our global connectivity with more flights to the US,” Nath said.
He attributed this expansion to the strong demand for the outbound tourism sector in India.
“Demand is high, and business at our company is expanding significantly. Beyond the metro areas, there is a rising desire among Indian tourists to spend on luxury experiences, discover other cultures, and visit different places.
In a significant development that underscores the importance of the Indian market for international airlines, Salil Nath, Etihad Airways’ Regional General Manager for India and Indian Sub-Continent, has announced a significant expansion in the company’s operations in India. The airline plans to increase its frequency and add new routes to its network, underlining the strategic importance of India in the airline’s growth strategy.
This decision comes amid the increasing demand for air travel within the country and the potential for India’s aviation market, which is anticipated to become the third-largest globally by 2026, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
As per Nath’s announcement, the expansion plan would include augmenting existing flights’ frequency and inaugurating new routes. The specific places for the distinct destinations have not been disclosed yet, but they are expected to consist of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. This coincides with the increasing tendency to extend air travel to less populated areas.
Nath highlighted that India has been a critical market for Etihad since it started operations in the country. He said, “We have always had a strong commitment to India. We aim to offer more choice and flexibility for our passengers while reinforcing our commitment to the Indian market.”
Furthermore, this expansion can bolster bilateral ties between the UAE and India. This move coincides with the robust growth of the Indian economy and the region’s rising demand for air travel.
Etihad has always enjoyed a positive relationship with India, and its current operations cover several significant cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. Adding new routes would further consolidate the airline’s presence and allow it to tap into the burgeoning demand for international travel in India.
The airline’s expansion strategy also reflects its commitment to supporting India’s vision of becoming a global aviation hub. Increased frequency and new routes would facilitate more excellent people-to-people contact and boost trade and tourism between the two countries.
Airlines worldwide are still dealing with the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic as they consider expanding their operations. However, with the gradual resumption of international travel and the increase in vaccination rates, airlines are now looking at expansion and growth.
Etihad’s decision to expand in India also significantly boosts the Indian aviation industry. It underscores the sector’s potential for growth and the increasing demand for better connectivity and more travel options.
According to industry experts, the expanded operations of Etihad in India could also lead to increased competition in the sector, possibly leading to better services and more competitive pricing. This is indeed a win-win situation for Indian consumers who are set to have more flight options to choose from.
Etihad’s expansion plan in India, as announced by Salil Nath, marks a new chapter in the airline’s India operations. As the world moves towards a new normal, focusing on strategic expansion in growth markets like India signals a positive and promising trend for global aviation. With the implementation of this plan, Etihad is not only set to reinforce its presence in the Indian market but also contribute significantly to the growth and dynamism of the Indian aviation industry.
