Etihad seeking to buy stake in more airlines

Progress must come through partnership, Etihad said

Etihad Airways is considering investing in other airlines even as it completes the acquisition of 24% in Jet Airways. 

“Global reach is beyond the capacity of any single airline. Progress must come through partnership. The investments we are making are delivering significant benefits not only to the airlines but to our passengers and freight customers. We will consider more strategic partnerships if they add value,''  James Hogan, chief executive officer of Etihad Airways said  in his  address at an industry forum in Germany on Tuesday.

Etihad Airways launched its equity investment strategy in 2011 with the purchase of a 29% stake in airberlin, followed by a 40% investment in Air Seychelles, which included a five year management contract. This was followed last year by the investment in Virgin Australia and a three% stake in Ireland’s Aer Lingus, this year’s Air Serbia deal and the Jet Airways investment.