Friday, September 20, 2024 Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, is celebrating 20 years of service to India this month. The airline launched flights to Mumbai on September 26, 2004 , followed by services to New Delhi on December 1, 2004 . Since then, Etihad has significantly expanded its network, now flying to 11 gateways in India, including recent additions of Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and Jaipur .
In 2023, Etihad increased its seat capacity between Abu Dhabi and India, adding more flight frequencies to Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Kolkata . The airline now operates over 50 extra flights per week to India compared to last summer, providing more convenient departure times and greater flexibility for onward connections. During the milestone celebration, Antonoaldo Neves , Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, stated, “India is a strategically important market for Etihad, and we’re extremely proud to be celebrating 20 years of flying to this incredible country.
” He noted that when Etihad launched its first flight to Mumbai, it was the airline’s 8th global destination . Since then, Etihad has expanded to 80 destinations , with plans to reach 125 by 2030 . To commemorate the anniversary, Etihad has introduced the Airbus A380 on the Mumbai-Abu Dhabi route, operating three times per week until the end of the year, allowing Indian travelers to experience the luxury of this iconic aircraft.
In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Etihad is offering discounts of up to 20% on flights to and from India when booked through etihad.com. This limited-time sale runs from September 19 to 21 for travel between October 1, 2024, and March 15, 2025 .
Travelers can enjoy incredible fares to global destinations such as Boston, New York, Paris, and London . Additionally, guests traveling through Abu Dhabi can take advantage of a complimentary two-night hotel stay through Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Stopover programme , available year-round for bookings on etihad.com.
Demonstrating its commitment to the Indian market, Etihad has formed partnerships that resonate with Indian consumers, particularly in Bollywood and cricket . Earlier this year, the airline became the official sponsor of the Chennai Super Kings , engaging fans with exciting activations at matches, including giveaways like yellow aircraft-shaped whistles. The partnership featured cricket legend MS Dhoni in its advertising campaigns.
In another celebration of its 20th anniversary, Etihad announced it will serve as the Official Front of Shirt sponsor for Mumbai City FC , a leading professional football team that has won two Indian Super League titles. Beyond sports, Etihad has enlisted Bollywood superstar Katrina Kaif as a brand ambassador, featuring her in various advertisements that highlight the airline’s exceptional guest experience. This summer, Etihad also began offering local catering for flights departing from India, providing regionally curated cuisine on board.
Collaborating with local chefs and caterers across its 11 Indian destinations , Etihad now features menus that reflect local culinary traditions. Travelers from Delhi can enjoy dishes inspired by Mughlai, Punjabi, and street food influences, while those flying from Mumbai will experience flavors of Maharashtrian cuisine. Similar regional twists are available for travelers departing from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Kerala .
In its commitment to the Indian market, Etihad recently launched a Hindi language website , enhancing the booking experience for its guests. On board, passengers can access a variety of multi-language programming, including the latest Bollywood films and music videos available in languages such as Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Bengali, Gujarati, and Marathi . With a workforce of over 10,000 employees from 140 nationalities based in Abu Dhabi and its global offices, Etihad employs around 1,700 Indian nationals across various commercial and operational roles, reflecting the strong presence of Indian professionals in the UAE.
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