As Iceland’s volcano erupts, tour operators are using Sky Lagoon as an alternative to Blue Lagoon for group trips.
05.12.2023 - 09:11 / traveldailynews.com / Theodore Koumelis / Etihad Airways
James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways called for reasoned debate based upon facts. He also warned against action which would restrict competitive choice for millions of US and international air travellers in markets which the US airlines have chosen not to serve.
Open Skies has been “a model of success, generating enormous benefits for travellers and for airlines in the US, the UAE and around the world,” said James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, speaking at the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s 14th Annual Aviation Summit in Washington, DC.
In his first public comments since three US airlines launched a campaign against Etihad Airways and other Gulf carriers, Mr Hogan called for reasoned debate based upon facts. He also warned against action which would restrict competitive choice for millions of US and international air travellers in markets which the US airlines have chosen not to serve.
Mr Hogan’s speech laid out the key facts behind Etihad Airways’ growth and its competitive strategy.
“As one of the newest national airlines anywhere in the world, we’ve had to create everything from scratch: every bit of product, every bit of our operations, every bit of our infrastructure,” he said.
“Etihad is a David, a David who’s been facing Goliaths since 2003, when we started. In virtually every market we’ve entered, we’ve had to face existing competitors, with established businesses, established infrastructure, established sales and marketing, established brands, and established customer bases.
“In many cases, those established airlines were gifted amazing infrastructure – airports, terminals, slots, landing rights – over decades.
“To take them on, we’ve had to work harder and we’ve had to work smarter. That’s called competition.
“We’ve been helped by our geographic position. The Gulf is at the centre of today’s trade and travel routes. Today’s aircraft technology and the changing patterns of world trade mean we are positioned strongly for many new and emerging markets.
“We’ve been helped by our blank sheet of paper – no legacy systems, no legacy aircraft, no legacy mindsets.
“And we’ve been pushed hard by the vision and ambition of our shareholder to create a globally competitive airline.”
Mr Hogan said the ‘secret’ behind Etihad Airways’ rapid growth was nothing more than incredible customer service, delivered on modern new aircraft, with world-leading product, at competitive prices, on routes people want to fly.
He also said that Etihad Airways had been more transparent about its business than other airlines.
“Etihad Airways has had a greater focus on reaching and delivering sustainable profitability – we believe – than any
As Iceland’s volcano erupts, tour operators are using Sky Lagoon as an alternative to Blue Lagoon for group trips.
Surf’s up in the desert.
A new Delta Sky Club is on track to open in Charlotte next year, marking the airline’s first lounge in North Carolina’s largest airport.
Delta Air Lines is growing in enemy territory.
Holiday Inn has introduced a new open lobby concept at the 275 room Holiday Inn Dubai Business Bay, located in the United Arab Emirates.
Think of a Wes Anderson film and the muted greys and browns of a rain-soaked day in London are not the first things that spring to mind. But the UK capital is about to host the first European exhibition of photographs inspired by the vibrant aesthetic of the American film director.
To be in Copenhagen in December is to experience truly exhilarating tastes of Christmas. The air is heavy with the scent of caramelised almonds that are sold in red and white striped paper bags, while stalls on the harbourside at Nyhavn are dispensing glögg, mulled wine with almonds and raisins. And there’s Julebryg, Tuborg’s Christmas beer, delivered to bars across Copenhagen by horse-drawn wagons.
Phoenix, Arizona is having a YIMBY moment.
As part of the expanded partnership announced in September 2023, Air France-KLM and Etihad Airways customers now have access to more than 60 new routes beyond Abu Dhabi, Paris and Amsterdam.
British Airways Executive Club Members can now collect Avios when spending at London Heathrow’s World Duty Free shops.
New construction hotel in Florida provides top-tier amenities for business travelers, families.
Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC, said: “Henry Kissinger rallied sector leaders to leverage their influence, significantly shaping modern travel.”