Etihad Airways in training partnership with IATA

Etihad Airways announced a training partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) during the Aeropolitical Affairs Forum in Abu Dhabi.

The partnership, a joint effort to develop the human capital of the Middle East aviation industry, is commencing with the implementation of the Airline Customer Service programme and will extend afterwards to other fields in aviation, cargo, travel and tourism.

It will also aim at upgrading the leadership competencies of various industry resources by introducing the IATA-Harvard Leadership & Management training programme in collaboration with Harvard Business School Publishing.

“The United Arab Emirates is expecting to handle 86.6 million international passengers by 2015, an 8.5% average annual growth. If that materialises, in 2015 it will handle nearly 30 million more passengers than in 2010. Skills and knowledge will be critical to support this extraordinary growth,“ said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO.

IATA’s partnership with Etihad Airways in the training field falls within a shared vision of reaching out to the next generation of leaders in the aviation industry as well as the overall development of the human capital to fullfill the need for new talent and skills to meet the challenges and opportunities in a dynamic industry.

“We are delighted to be involved in this partnership as there is no more important resource for any organisation than its people,” said Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan. “This joint initiative should help provide access to opportunity as we build a talent pool across all facets of the aviation industry, and provide a career path for appropriately trained professionals.”

Etihad Airways enters codeshare with Hainan Airlines

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has signed a codeshare agreement with Hainan Airlines of China. It is the Abu Dhabi-based airline's first codeshare with a Chinese carrier and its 35th with world airlines.

Subject to regulatory approvals, from January 10, 2012; Hainan Airline's will place its 'HU' code on Etihad Airways flights between Abu Dhabi and the airline's three gateway cities in China: Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai, according to a release. The arrangement will extend to Etihad Airways flights beyond Abu Dhabi to Khartoum International Airport in Sudan.
James Hogan, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways said the codeshare with Hainan Airlines would help strengthen Etihad's position in the competitive Chinese market. “Working with a major player like Hainan Airlines will increase Chinese passenger numbers on our China-Abu Dhabi services and beyond to popular destinations in Africa, Middle East and Europe. We look forward to expanding the relationship to include more destinations over time.”
Tie Li, President of Hainan Airlines said: “The codeshare cooperation with Etihad Airways will reinforce Hainan Airlines' development in the Middle East and Africa region. We have great expectations of the partnership, and believe that through mutual creativity, we will be able to bring synergy and hopefully value to our customers."
The reciprocal agreement will integrate the Etihad Guest and Hainan Airlines Fortune Wings Club loyalty programs, enabling travellers to earn miles on each other's flights.
The new codeshare services will go on sale from January 10, 2012, for travel from that date for Beijing and Chengdu flights, and from March 1, 2012 for Shanghai.

Etihad Airways begins flights to China's Chengdu

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, yesterday began scheduled services between its hub in Abu Dhabi and Chengdu in southwest China.

Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, will be served by four non-stop services per week.

The chief executive Officer of Etihad Airways, James Hogan, said the new route had special significance as the first and only direct flight between Sichuan province and the UAE.

"This is a day of cele-bration for the airline and the communities at both ends of the route. The new services will open convenient new gateways for travel to and from Europe, the Middle East and North Africa and stimulate growth of trade between the UAE and China, already the Emirates' third largest trading partner."

Demand forecast

Hogan said forecast demand from the passenger and cargo sectors was strong and the airline expected to go daily when commercially viable.

"The Chengdu Mun-icipal Government and airport authorities have been great supporters and we look forward to working together to make the route a commercial success."

The Mayor of Chengdu, Honglin Ge, said: "The commencement of Etihad Airways services to Chengdu is an exciting event for the people of Chengdu and we are delighted to welcome them joining us to promote the development of an air transport hub in Chengdu."

Etihad Airways will operate a two-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft on the sector with 22 Pearl Business class and 240 Coral Economy class seats.

Award winner

Etihad Airways has been honoured for its commitment to the environment at China's 2011 Top Travel magazine awards.

The Environmental Contribution of the Year Award is bestowed annually on travel companies that demonstrate global leadership in corporate social responsibility. The honour was for the airline's efforts in saving washing water and cleaning fluids, and for an improvement in fuel efficiency from reduced aircraft drag.

The CEO of Etihad Airways, James Hogan, said the airline was delighted to win the award.