Etihad’s 10th anniversary a celebration for Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways 10th anniversary celebration on Friday marked an achievement for not just the airline but for Abu Dhabi.

Ray Gammell, Chief people & Performance Officer at Etihad Airways, told Gulf News was part of what Abu Dhabi is presenting to the world.

“We are the brand of Abu Dhabi,” he said.

Etihad Airways marked its 10th anniversary on Friday with day/night staff and family event at Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

Up to 20,000 people were expected to attend.

Gammell said that the story of Etihad was a great achievement and was a reflection on the “melting pot” of cultures in Abu Dhabi.

He said that the achievements of the airline over the past decade would not have been possible with out the “incredible backing” of the Abu Dhabi government.

Today the airline, which is in 56 countries, has 16,500 staff global, 140 nationalities than can collectively speak 200 different nationalities.

Gammell said the achievements of the airline could not be repeated because Etihad had achieved the “impossible.”

Abdul Qader Hussain, Etihad Airways Vice President International & Government Affairs, who is one of Etihad longest serving employees, told Gulf News he had witnessed a remarkable transformation at the airline.

He said that the first commercial flight to Beirut had just 60 passengers on board. Today, he said, the airline has more than 10 million passengers globally.

Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer, said the first 10 years of the company had shaped it for the decades into the future.

He said the airline would continue to look at new opportunities as the airline transformed from an airline to an aviation group and into other sectors.

“Being there strategically, tactically, organisationally at these milestones requires the foresight and forward planning to be ready and there when it kicks in,” he said.