Gulf carrier Etihad is experiencing robust growth in the domestic market following the pandemic and anticipates a higher number of Indian passengers in 2024 compared to the approximately 3 million in 2023, as stated by a senior executive to PTI news agency.
Etihad’s chief revenue and commercial officer, Arik De said that the Abu Dhabi-based national carrier’s strong comeback in the Indian market, with numbers exceeding pre-pandemic levels by over 10%. The airline aims for further growth, planning to conclude 2024 with a 35-40% increase in capacity.
Strong rebound in 2023
Arik De informed that Etihad’s ahd a strong rebound in 2023, with a capacity growth of over 40%. De said that the growth in passenger volumes, indicating that planes are consistently full. Moreover, the carrier also further expanded its network in the country by introducing flight services to Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala this year.
Etihad is currently operating 165 weekly flights to and from 10 cities in India and maintains a strategic partnership with Sharjah-based Air Arabia, offering a combined total of 230 weekly flights.
Room for growth
The official also highlighted that the airline has room to grow in the Indian aviation market, which is likely to witness further expansion in line with the airline’s commitment to the nation. Notably, Etihad recently entered into a sponsorship agreement with five-time IPL champion Chennai Super Kings.
Shift in traffic patterns post-pandemic
The airline also observed a shift in traffic patterns post-pandemic. It noted an interesting trend of more Indians, particularly young travelers, exploring new destinations. “One interesting trend we’re seeing is the amount of Indians, especially young ones, who are willing to go to new destinations and try out new things,” he said.
The airline has seen increased traffic in its premium cabins (business and first class), reflecting the strength of India’s rapid economic growth. The premium segment is tracking ahead of overall capacity, with a notable 15-20% growth.
“Premium segment growth is tracking ahead of our overall capacity. Roughly speaking, we continue to see some 15-20 per cent growth in our premium segments. It’s one of the reasons why in India, we’re putting our best foot forward, in some ways,” he said.
