India major growth market for Etihad Airways, says new CEO

Etihad Airways will focus on growth as it tries to expand its fleet and network, the new CE of the airline, Peter Baumgartner, said in Abu Dhabi on Monday. “We have still around 200 aircraft on order that will join our fleet in the next decade, so our network will further expand as well as our fleet. It will be a story of growth and delivering excellence,” said Baumgartner, who took over as the CEO of Eithad Airways earlier this month, from James Hogan, who was promoted to Group president and CEO under a new management structure announced on May 8. Baumgartner said India is a major market for the airline to grow into. “We have a fantastic opportunity with our partnership with Jet Airways which gives us access into India. It provides Jet Airways access to our global network from Abu Dhabi. We seriously take the opportunity in India. It’s all happening there.” Asked if the airline had plans to connect more cities in India, he said they will always be considering opportunities and options. “We have a dense network together with Jet Airways today. We are always considering our options and opportunities in India.” Etihad Airways flies to 15 destinations in India including four in partnership with Jet Airways. The airline recently launched Airbus A380 to India’s commercial hub, Mumbai.<br/>