Aviation industry must adapt and change: Etihad CEO

Partnerships and collaboration are the most tangible way to grow in the current competitive scenario, he said

Asserting the civil aviation industry must adapt and change, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer James Hogan has said partnerships and collaboration were the most tangible way to grow in the current competitive scenario.

Addressing the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Aviation Day in Abu Dhabi, Hogan said Etihad Airways' successful partnership strategy could become a model for other players.

He said that partnerships and collaboration were the most tangible way to grow in today's highly competitive business environment, providing consumers with greater choice and connectivity.

"Ways of doing business globally have changed over the years and aviation, like many other industries, must adapt and change. In union there is strength and a shared vision. At Etihad Airways we have seen the results of working together which go well beyond commercial benefits," he said.

"Three years on, we have proved the sceptics wrong. Our organic growth has been supported by successful codeshare partnerships, minority investments in selected airlines around the world," said Hogan.

Etihad Airways currently operates a fleet of 119 aircraft flying almost 15 million passengers annually to 113 passenger and cargo destinations around the world.