Etihad targets landmark figure

March 6, 2009

Etihad targets landmark figure

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced its ambition to carry 25 million passengers annually by 2020.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline also revealed that it hopes to boost its international network to more than 100 destinations, while orders have been placed to secure the delivery of 152 aircraft by 2020.

The plans were announced by Etihad chief executive James Hogan at the Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit. At the same event, Hogan also confirmed that at least six new routes will be launched in 2009 alone as a means to boost passenger traffic and revenue.

2008 saw Etihad achieve an unprecedented year of success, with the launch of new flights to destinations including Beijing, Chennai and Moscow adding to its successes. Throughout the course of the year, the airline carried in excess of six million passengers and expanded its fleet to 42 aircraft with the purchase of nine new planes.

Etihad currently operates a number of international flights, including services from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi.

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