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RECORD PASSENGER NUMBERS

Etihad soars high with double-digit growth

Abu Dhabi, January 6, 2014

UAE’s national carrier Etihad Airways said it has achieved double-digit growth, the highest ever passenger and cargo volumes in 2013.

Nearly 12 million people flew with Etihad last year, marking a significant increase of about 16 per cent in comparison to 2012’s figure of 10.3 million, said a statement.

Bangkok was the airline’s busiest route, with a total of 742,759 passengers flying to Thailand’s capital city, up seven per cent year-on-year.

Manila was the second busiest route, followed by London, Jeddah and Paris, said the statement.

About 73 per cent of the more than 16.4 million passengers who travelled through the Abu Dhabi airport last year, were carried by Etihad.

With the addition of its equity alliance partners that operate flights into the emirate, the combined total rose to 79 per cent of passenger traffic, it said.

James Hogan, president and CEO, said: “Our record-breaking numbers in 2013 reflect the continued success of our strategic master plan, which focuses on three fundamental pillars - organic network growth, the forging of codeshare partnerships, and minority equity investments in other airlines.

The carrier introduced six destinations to its network during the year, which include Washington DC, Amsterdam, Sao Paulo, Belgrade, Sana’a and Ho Chi Minh City.

The airline also reported an increase of 32 per cent in cargo volumes, compared to 2012, having flown 486,753 tonnes of freight and mail.

It accounted for 89 per cent of cargo imports, exports and transfers at Abu Dhabi airport last year.

The volumes were boosted by enhancements to the freighter fleet capability and more cargo in the bellyhold of passenger aircraft, said the statement.

Meanwhile, Etihad took delivery of eight Airbus aircraft, eight Boeing aircraft and added further leased capacity which included the airline’s inaugural 747-8 freighter. Its fleet now comprises 89 aircraft, with an average age of only 5.2 years, it added. - TradeArabia News Service




Tags: UAE | Etihad | growth | cargo | Passenger | volume |

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