Etihad to focus on frequencies to attract business passengers from European airlines
Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan stated the carrier plans to rein in network expansion to concentrate on adding frequencies as it seeks to attract corporate customers from European carriers and differentiate itself from Emirates (Bloomberg, 25-Jan-2011). The carrier will add no more than six new destinations in coming years, with the only new route slated for 2011 being a 10th destination in western Europe, allowing it to deploy the majority of capacity to satisfy the needs of the business-travel market. Etihad also aims to offer a more luxurious cabin product than Emirates.
Etihad Airways: "Over the next two or three years it'll be very much about frequency. For the business segment they expect to have a minimum of at least one daily flight, or better still two, morning and afternoon. Once people try us, we get them," James Hogan, CEO. Source: Bloomberg, 25-Jan-2011.