‘We’ve lost billions chasing stakes, we won’t repeat that ’: Etihad CEO reveals new India game plan

Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves tells The Economic Times why the airline has no plans to invest in Indian carriers, calling past equity bets “unsustainable.” Speaking on the sidelines of the IATA AGM with ET's Arindam Majumder and Forum Gandhi in New Delhi, Neves said India remains a key market. Still, Gulf carriers, including Etihad, have maximised their flying rights. He calls on the Indian government to open more traffic rights, allowing Etihad to expand from 11 to as many as 20 Indian cities. Neves also revealed Etihad’s current focus on partnerships over ownership and hinted at growth potential in underserved Indian markets, provided regulatory bottlenecks are eased.