Etihad Airways attributes 1H2014 performance to network expansion, new aircraft and partnerships

Etihad Airways attributed (08-Jul-2014) growth in passenger and cargo traffic in 1H2014 to the commencement of Medina, Jaipur, Zurich and Los Angeles services and increased frequency on five existing routes, including Moscow and Cochin. The carrier's fleet expanded to 102 aircraft in 1H2014, with 23 aircraft added since 1H2013. Organic growth was supported by the airline's codeshare and equity alliance partnerships, which delivered an estimated 1.4 million passengers onto Etihad Airways services and contributed USD471 million in revenue. Etihad Cargo is on track to report USD1 billion in revenue in 2014. Etihad Airways' workforce expanded 28% year-on-year to 20,149 employees in 1H2014 and the number of UAE nationals employed within the core airline increased 19% to 1628. Etihad Airways plans to introduce Rome, Perth, Phuket and Dallas services by the end of 2014, increasing its total network to 103 destinations. The airline will also take delivery of six new aircraft and deploy its first A380 and Boeing 787 aircraft in 2H2014. [more - original PR]