Etihad eyes US network

Etihad Airways says it is interested in expanding its network across the US to further build one of its highest performing regions.

Speaking in Washington DC, the carrier’s chief executive James Hogan said the airline flew more than 1.5 million passengers to and from the US since commencing services in New York in 2006 and expects new and future routes to the country to continue building its business.

“With increasing ties between the UAE and US, both government and private sector, we see a demand for premium services between Washington, D.C. and Abu Dhabi,” Mr Hogan said.

“As we build our operations at Washington, D.C., we are also keen to expand further in the US and we are examining a number of other destinations, particularly on the West Coast.”

Mr Hogan continued, explaining that building complementary networks to support existing ones were key to the airline’s growth.

The airline expects to launch its third US route on 31 March 2013, with daily, non-stop flights between Washington DC and Abu Dhabi.

Sourced: etravelblackboardasia