Etihad CEO talks the future of airline competition

Etihad Airways President and CEO James Hogan emphasized the importance of consumer choice and innovation as the fundamental drivers of competition in the international airline industry during a public conversation before an audience of approximately 4,000 attendees at the 2015 Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Convention in Orlando, Fla.

In a discussion, which focused on emerging opportunities and challenges in the global aviation industry, Mr. Hogan noted that business and leisure travellers alike are demanding, and should rightly expect, choices in network, schedules, product and services, loyalty rewards, convenience, and price.

“What we bring to the market is competition, we bring choice in regard to product and services,” Mr. Hogan told the audience. “We see strong demand in premium and we’re very focused on the business traveler.”

Mr. Hogan highlighted the impact of rapidly growing markets like China, India and Southeast Asia on international traffic flows and traditional international hubs. 

“Innovation – one of the greatest things about travel in this era is the consumer can find out so much about your business. In our culture, we don’t have passengers, we have guests and that guest experience –  whether it’s first class, business class or economy – is fundamental, and treating the guest with respect,” Mr. Hogan said.

He further noted that Etihad, even as a relatively young airline, has already attracted global interest with its offerings, which include The Residence, Business Studios, Economy Smart Seats, in-flight chefs, butlers and flying nannies.

Mr. Hogan also discussed Etihad’s business model, which extends the airline’s growth through codeshare partnerships and equity investments in key global airlines, including Air Berlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline. The airline’s hub in Abu Dhabi now serves as a gateway between the Middle East, Asia and Australia and destinations in Europe and America.

Etihad’s A380 aircraft will make its debut in the U.S. on Dec. 1, 2015 when Etihad Airways inaugurates the airline’s first A380 service between New York’s JFK Airport and Abu Dhabi.