Etihad eyes partnership with desi carriers

By Ganapathy Subramaniam, TNN | Aug 30, 2006, 09.17 PM IST

NEW DELHI: Etihad Airways on Wednesday launched its loyalty programme which will give bonus miles to passengers flying on the carrier. The airline is also looking at partnering with Indian carriers such as Air India, Indian, Air Sahara and Jet Airways to expand the reach of its new scheme. The UAE-based carrier plans to double the number of its flights between Abu Dhabi and India as well. The airline already has ticketing and inter-line arrangements with these four Indian carriers.

The carrier will offer six flexible options to its all 35 destinations under the customer loyalty scheme. The membership is being offered free of cost with immediate mileage accrual. Under its flexible travel with ‘any time any flight availability’, the customers will have 365 days access to all the seats. The passengers will also have an option of redeeming their bonus miles by purchasing goods such as ipod, Etihad Airways’ area manager for India and Nepal, Mr R Dougie Douglas told ET

"We are also looking at doubling our flights to India, subject to agreement between the governments of UAE and India," Mr Douglas said

Currently, Etihad operates a total of ten flights, seven connecting Abu Dhabi with Mumbai and three with Delhi. The airline is also exploring the possibilities of adding three more cities from the Chennai, Bangalore and Trivandrum. With Indian visitors to UAE increasing at 30% annually, Etihad expects revenues from the country to increase to about 15% in future up from 8% at present, he said.

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