Etihad Airways registers 63% growth in Indian passenger traffic in 2015

Gulf carrier Etihad Airways along with partner Jet Airways has carried a record 3.3 million people between Abu Dhabi and India in 2015, registering a 63% growth in passenger traffic.

The airline said that this represents a sharp rise on the 2 million flown during the previous 12 months

Bilateral relations between the UAE and India continue to grow based on years of friendship and deep commitment to strengthen economic, cultural and trade ties.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways' President and Chief Executive Officer, said that with Etihad Airways and Jet Airways together offering over 44,000 seats each week between Abu Dhabi and India, "we are clearly are a key contributor to India's dynamic economy. 

"Our investment in Jet Airways was aimed at being part of the Indian success story. Before the Jet deal, Etihad Airways carried only two per cent of the international traffic to and from India. We have helped bring Jet Airways back to profitability," he added. 

The UAE is the 10th biggest foreign - and largest Arab - investor in India.

Etihad operates 175 flights each week to and from 11 Indian gateway cities. The combined networks of Etihad Airways and Jet Airways offer over 250 weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and 15 cities across India.

From May 1, the airline will launch its award-winning Airbus A380 operations to Mumbai.

"Today, Jet Airways is our number one equity partner for revenue and passenger contribution on Etihad Airways, and India is Abu Dhabi's number one source market for international visitors," Hogan said.

By 2020, domestic and international passenger traffic through Indian airports is expected to double to 45 crore. The UN World Tourism Organisation predicts more than 50 crore Indians travelling overseas annually by 2020.