Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline, outlined its future growth plans at the recently concluded Dubai Airshow. In a keynote interview, Etihad’s CEO Antonoaldo Neves took to the airshow’s main stage to discuss the airline’s ambitious growth plan for the next seven years, Journey 2030.
This strategy, supported by the airline’s shareholder, ADQ, signifies a pivotal turning point in Etihad’s journey, setting the stage for a future marked by sustainable growth and enhanced customer experiences, with a significant economic contribution to Abu Dhabi.
“As we mark Etihad’s 20th anniversary, we are excited about what’s next. Journey 2030 is the guiding plan that propels Etihad into the future,” said Neves. “Etihad has solidified its global presence and successfully navigated challenges. Now, with strong shareholder support and a strategic plan in place, the airline is poised for sustainable, profitable growth.”
Over the past year, Etihad carried 13 million passengers, a 30 percent increase from 2022. Through Journey 2030, this growth trajectory is set to continue, projecting a return to Etihad’s peak 2017 passenger numbers by late next year or early 2025, culminating in a target of 33 million passengers by 2030.
Under Journey 2030, Etihad’s network will extend to over 125 destinations, leveraging its strategic geographical advantage connecting Asia and Europe. Simultaneously, the fleet will double to over 160 aircraft, focusing on connecting short and medium-haul destinations in the GCC, India, and Asia with long-haul destinations in Europe and North America. Core tenets of its network strategy include introducing new destinations, providing more options, and increasing frequencies to key international markets.
“Our mandate is clear: to deliver extraordinary customer service and sustainable profitability, as the foundation for Etihad’s contribution to Abu Dhabi’s aspirations,” said Neves.
Journey 2030 not only signifies a strategic milestone for expansion, but also promises substantial economic benefits for Abu Dhabi. The plan targets attracting 10 million point-to-point travelers to the UAE capital by 2030, catalyzing economic growth, creating job opportunities, and solidifying Abu Dhabi’s status as a premier global travel hub.
“The opening of our new home airport Terminal A is a perfect springboard for our growth and will provide the capacity and the quality we need to cater for our guests,” added Neves.
This year has already proved successful for the airline, which has added 12 new destinations, with further new routes in India, as well as Boston and Nairobi to start shortly. The airline has also enlarged its operations in several key markets, adding flights and improved connectivity across the network, and it has welcomed 16 new aircraft to its fleet.
“Twenty years ago, the leaders of the UAE launched a remarkable airline that has established a global reputation,” said Neves. “Our rich past is the perfect starting point for our next chapter. Journey 2030 will ensure we continue to delight our customers, our people and our nation in the years to come and be the airline everyone wants to fly.”
Etihad’s 787-9 Dreamliner
The airline also showcased its newest Boeing 787-9 which is one of four new Dreamliners to join the fleet, following the arrival of a new 787-10 in October. The new aircraft will fuel Etihad’s ambitious growth plans as the airline has added 12 new destinations this year, with further new routes in India, as well as Boston and Nairobi to begin operations in the coming months. The airline has also recently expanded its operations in multiple markets, with additional flight frequencies and improved connectivity across the network.
Etihad’s new 787 Dreamliner cabin interior showcases further enhancements to its award-winning cabins. The aircraft features Etihad’s newest cabin interior with 32 seats in Business class and 271 seats in Economy, with both offering best-in-class experiences for Etihad’s guests.
The Business cabin provides guests with a comfortable and spacious environment in Etihad’s signature style, and features a unique, customised version of the Elements seat manufactured by Collins. Etihad is the first airline in the world to introduce the Elements seat on the Boeing 787.
The new seats will provide guests with generous levels of space and comfort with added privacy provided by a suite door and an increased suite height.
Each of the 32 Business seats has direct aisle access and reclines to a fully lie-flat-bed 78” in length boasting a 17.3” 4K TV screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, wireless charging, and multiple charging ports, as well as plenty of storage.
In Economy, the newest 787 offers lighter, and therefore more fuel efficient, seats than the current fleet, with 244 standard seats and 27 Economy Space seats with four inches of additional legroom. As well as providing guests with exceptional comfort, the slimmer profile seats provide an increased feeling of space for every guest.
The new 787 Dreamliner offers the latest inflight entertainment technology from Safran with Rave Ultra 13.3” 4K touch-screen monitors and the option to pair personal phones and tablets to the screen to use as a remote.
The aircraft is fitted with a new connectivity solution from Viasat using Ka-band technology which offers high-speed Wi-Fi with streaming capabilities on board as well as Live TV, including news and sport channels. Through Etihad’s Wi-Fly, all Etihad Guest members can enjoy complimentary chat packages, while all guests can choose to purchase a full Surf package with unlimited data for the duration of the flight.
