Business | Aviation
Etihad carries more than 6m passengers to 5o destinations in 2oo8
Etihad Airways flew more than six million passengers in 2008, a 34 per cent jump on 2007, the company said in a statement.
- Staff Report
- Published: 23:35 January 4, 2009
- Etihad now has a fleet that is 42 aircraft strong.
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways flew more than six million passengers in 2008, a 34 per cent jump on 2007, the company said in a statement.
"The growth during 2008, Etihad's fifth year of operations, saw passenger numbers total 6,021,931 and the average seat factor rise from 68 per cent to 75 per cent," the statement said.
"The airline has also taken delivery of nine new aircraft boosting its fleet to a total of 42."
Last year, Etihad launched six new routes - Beijing, Minsk, Almaty, Kozhikode, Chennai and Moscow - as well as signing a record order of $43 billion at the Farnborough International Airshow for up to 205 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
Capping a hugely successful year, a record 20,937 passengers flew with Etihad on December 19 making it the airline's busiest day, it says.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways' chief executive, said: "Despite the impact of the global economic downturn, Etihad performed extremely well in 2008 and we hit our target of flying more than six million passengers during the year.
"Etihad now has a flight network of 50 global destinations, with an average seat factor of 75 per cent, which is an impressive achievement in just five years of operations. It is also pleasing to note Etihad's pivotal role in the growth of Abu Dhabi as the emirate becomes a global capital for business and tourism."
All of Etihad's passenger cabins experienced significant seat factor growth during 2008. The airline achieved average seat factors in its economy cabin of 77 per cent with flights to the Asia-Pacific region rising to 84 per cent.
Average seat factors in business class rose to 63 per cent during 2008 with flights to European destinations averaging seat factors of 73 per cent.
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