PHOTO
Etihad Airways is hosting its 2015 Worldwide Staff Conference on Thursday 5 March and Friday 6 March, with more than 650 members of staff attending the event at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.
The two day conference, embracing the theme of 'partnership in action', was opened by His Excellency Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, Etihad Airways' Chairman.
His Excellency Hamad Al Shamsi, Etihad Airways Vice Chairman, and His Excellency Ahmed Al Mehairi, member of the Etihad Airways board also attended.
In his opening address His Excellency Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei thanked Etihad Airways staff for their support in the growth of the national airline and the continued development of Abu Dhabi as a global capital for business and leisure travellers.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways' President and Chief Executive Officer, made the conference keynote address. Conference delegates also heard from James Rigney, Etihad Airways' Chief Financial Officer, and Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' Chief Commercial Officer.
Presentations were made by Tom Klein, President and Chief Executive Officer of technology provider Sabre, and Tony Douglas, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airport Company.
Representatives from Etihad Airways' partner airlines from around the world are attending the conference which will discuss ways in which the airlines can work more closely to reduce costs, improve revenues and enhance the customer experience.
Mr Hogan said: "The past year has been another period of fast-paced growth for Etihad Airways. During this time the airline has launched more than 10 new routes, welcomed the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner into our fleet, unveiled new livery and uniforms, and strengthened our airline partnerships.
"Etihad Airways is now part of a much wider aviation group and we're delighted to welcome the CEOs and senior management team from our network partners to join us for the conference which will benefit all parties and deliver significant success and value."
Etihad Airways carried a record number of passengers and cargo in 2014, marking its strongest operational performance to date. Almost 14.8 million passengers flew with the airline last year, a significant increase of 23 per cent over 2013 levels.
Building on its organic growth, Etihad Airways expanded its codeshare and equity partnerships in 2014. These partnerships delivered over 3.5 million passengers onto Etihad Airways flights, an increase of 40 per cent over the 2.5 million passengers in 2013.
In 2014 Alitalia became the latest addition to Etihad Airways' equity partners' network, which includes airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia.
An investment is being formalised in Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline.
The conference will conclude with a gala dinner and awards ceremony on Friday night, with 27 members of staff from across the business set to be recognised for their performance in the Etihad Excellence Awards.
-Ends-
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2014 carried 14.8 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to 111 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 110 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 70 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and nine Airbus A380s.
Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia, and is in the process of formalising an equity investment in Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline. Etihad Airways, along with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand that brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com.
© Press Release 2015
