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Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways on Thursday announced it would double its flights to Mumbai and Delhi by the end of December. This follows the Union Cabinet approving enhanced traffic rights between India and Abu Dhabi.
Etihad is acquiring 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways; the deal is awaiting regulatory approval. Sources said Jet was likely to connect various cities, including Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad, to Abu Dhabi in the next few months, though it was unlikely to start new routes beyond Abu Dhabi in the winter schedule.
“Following the recent signing of a new air services agreement between India and the UAE, we now have the opportunity to add significant capacity between the two countries, not only meeting existing demand for trade and tourist travel, but also ensuring we meet the continued strong growth expected between the two countries. The big winners would be our passengers and freight customers, as well as the economies of India and Abu Dhabi,” Etihad chief executive James Hogan said in a statement.
Etihad is acquiring 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways; the deal is awaiting regulatory approval. Sources said Jet was likely to connect various cities, including Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad, to Abu Dhabi in the next few months, though it was unlikely to start new routes beyond Abu Dhabi in the winter schedule.
“Following the recent signing of a new air services agreement between India and the UAE, we now have the opportunity to add significant capacity between the two countries, not only meeting existing demand for trade and tourist travel, but also ensuring we meet the continued strong growth expected between the two countries. The big winners would be our passengers and freight customers, as well as the economies of India and Abu Dhabi,” Etihad chief executive James Hogan said in a statement.
Etihad would use the wide-bodied Airbus A340 and Airbus A330 on one of its Delhi and Mumbai flights. The Mumbai flight would have three class configuration including a first class. The airline is also deploying a 174 seat Airbus A321 aircraft to Chennai instead of the 136 seat Airbus A320, which it flies now.
Etihad is picking up 24% stake in Jet Airways but the deal is still awaiting regulatory approval. Jet Airways is yet to announce its expansion plans. Sources said Jet is likely to connect cities including Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad to Abu Dhabi in the next few months but is unlikely to open new routes beyond Abu Dhabi in the upcoming winter schedule.
It will use wide-bodied Airbus A340 and Airbus A330 on one of its Delhi and Mumbai flights. The Mumbai flight will have three class configuration including a first class. The airline is also deploying a 174 seat Airbus A321 aircraft to Chennai instead of 136 seat Airbus A320 which it flies now.
“Following the recent signing of a new air services agreement between India and the UAE, we now have the opportunity to add significant capacity between the two countries, not only meeting existing demand for trade and tourist travel but also ensuring that we can meet the continued strong growth which is expected between our two countries. The big winners will be our passengers and freight customers and the economies of India and Abu Dhabi," Etihad CEO James Hogan said in a statement.
