Antonoaldo Neves, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, affirmed the airline’s plans for expansion in 2024. This expansion includes broadening its network of destinations, offering more choices to travelers, and increasing flights to key international markets through its global network. The aim is to usher in a new phase of sustainable growth, underpinned by a robust strategic plan.

Neves told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) that Etihad Airways will introduce new destinations in 2024. These include Boston, which will become its fourth station in the United States, operating four weekly flights starting from 31st March. Additionally, the capital of Kenya, Nairobi, will commence operations from 1st May. Furthermore, the airline has added two new destinations in the Indian subcontinent in early January: Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram in the Kerala region of India. This brings the total number of stations served by Etihad Airways in India to 10. Also, there will be an increase in the number of flights to destinations such as Cairo, with 21 weekly flights, Colombo with 7, Islamabad with 14, and the Maldives with 14 flights.

Neves anticipates a rise in passenger numbers, expecting them to return by 2025 to the levels of 2017, around 18 million passengers, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2019, when they had reached 17 million passengers. He stated that Etihad Airways is in a better financial position than in 2017, having witnessed a 30 per cent growth in the number of passengers last year compared to 2022. He pointed out that the company has laid out a long-term plan to reach 30 million passengers per year, equivalent to three times the number of passengers compared to 2022.

Neves mentioned that the airline has solidified its global presence after 20 years since its establishment and successfully overcame all the challenges it faced. Presently, it is gearing up to achieve sustainable and profitable growth, thanks to strong support from stakeholders and a robust strategic plan for the future.

He highlighted that Etihad Airways’ “Etihad Airways 2030” strategy, backed by ADQ Holdings, marks a pivotal turning point in the carrier’s journey. It paves the way for a future characterised by sustainable growth, enhanced customer experiences, and a significant economic contribution to Abu Dhabi. He explained that Etihad’s network will expand to over 125 destinations as part of the 2030 plan, leveraging its strategic geographic location linking Asia and Europe, focusing on connecting short and medium-haul destinations in the GCC, India, and Asia with long-haul destinations in Europe and the East Coast of America.

Responding to a question about the current fleet size, the CEO said, “In 2017, our fleet peaked at 110 aircraft, and we worked on reducing the fleet size between 2019 and 2022. Today, we are witnessing the return of our large aircraft such as the Airbus A380, Boeing 787, and Boeing 777, resulting in an increase in our fleet to 86 aircraft, and we expect it to reach a total of 160 aircraft by 2030.”

WAM