• Home
• /
• Business

Etihad Airways wins WTA

The 13th annual WTA are currently taking place in the Caribbean's Turks and Caicos Islands where the UAE's national airline has received extensive praise for its unprecedented growth and state-of-the-art new product. "It is incredible to think that Etihad Airways is not even three years old, yet we have achieved so much in that time. Etihad now operates services to 35 international destinations across four continents,

offering Guests the award winning flat-bed on many of the routes," said Shaikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan.

The extraordinary growth of Etihad Airways has been accompanied by the introduction of some of the airline industry's most advanced products on the new fleet. Included within that is the revolutionary Diamond zone suite, with a seat that sets new industry benchmarks.

Not only can it recline 180 degrees into a flat bed, but it can also rotate 180 degrees enabling guests to hold meetings, dine and converse with one another.

"Being a world-class airline is more than just the destinations we fly to, and Etihad has gone to great lengths to ensure our guests, whether travelling in diamond, pearl or coral zones, receive the very finest hospitality and service," continued Shaikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan.

With one million Guests flying on Etihad between July and September 2006, and four million anticipated for 2007, the airline is continuing to

make headlines across the globe.

Among the impressive milestones Etihad has achieved is the launching of 35 new routes in just 35 months, with the highlight of 2006 being the opening of its services to New York in October.

"Abu Dhabi's ideal location, together with Etihad's expanding network of destinations, will ensure more Guests will choose to fly with us, increasing tourism and business in the UAE," continued Shaikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan. The latest addition to Etihad's fleet will now join the other aircraft which includes nine A330-200s and five Boeing 777-300 ERs.

The most exciting addition to the fleet is expected in 2008 when Etihad takes delivery of four double-decker A380-800s, which can carry 555 Guests in a 3 zone configuration.

At present there are more than 3,400 staff working across the world, from 94 different nationalities. This is set to grow further as the airline increases its network of destinations. Etihad's cargo division, Crystal Cargo, has also continued to grow since its creation in 2004. In its first full year of operation, Crystal Cargo transported almost 20,000 tonnes of cargo, which is set to reach 100,000 tonnes by the end of 2006.