Air Transport

Etihad uses new rights to boost its Indian network

By Victoria Moores

United Arab Emirates (UAE) carrier Etihad Airways is using newly-agreed route rights to launch services to four additional destinations in India.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad is finalising plans to add Chennai, Jaipur, Kolkata and Kozhikode to its network.

The decision follows recent bilateral talks between the UAE and Indian Governments, aimed at liberalising the air services agreement between the two countries.

Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan says: “Etihad is always keen to build up its Indian services and we are thrilled to have been given the rights to serve four new cities in this exciting market.”

The airline operates Abu Dhabi-originating flights to Mumbai, New Delhi, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. It wants to add four further destinations – Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore and Hyderabad – to its Indian network, but is yet to secure the necessary route rights.

It says: “Etihad will continue to press for more access to the Indian market at the next round of inter-governmental bilateral talks between the UAE and India.”

Source:Air Transport Intelligence news