After June, Etihad Plans Next India Expansion For Early 2025

Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi-based airline has planned a significant expansion in India. In the month of June, the airline will launch operations in a new Indian city and will enhance frequency to three Indian cities.

The Chief Revenue & Commercial Officer for Etihad Airways, Arik De shares more insights about the airline’s plans to expand and its potential next moves in the Indian market.

Etihad Airways: India Expansion in June

Etihad Airways, which already has a presence in 11 Indian cities is looking to expand in the market. From June 16, the airline will launch non-stop flights connecting Abu Dhabi to Jaipur. These exclusive flights will be operational on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Etihad will deploy its narrowbody Airbus A320 aircraft on this route, configured with 8 Business and 150 Economy Class seats.

Other than launching flights to Jaipur, Etihad will increase frequency on three more India routes. These routes include Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. Services to all three routes will be ramped up from June 15.

 

From 15 June, the frequency of the Bengaluru to Abu Dhabi route will be increased from 14 to 17 times a week. Additional three flights will be operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Etihad is all set to commence operations with its Airbus A321neo fleet, which it inherited from Vietnam-based Bamboo Airways. These additional flights to Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport will be operated with these new A321neos.

Additionally, the airline will increase frequency on the Kolkata route by a once-a-week service. Currently, Kolkata service is operated seven times a week. From June 15, it will be operated eight times a week. Additional flights will be operated on Saturdays with Airbus A320.

Etihad Increasing Trivandrum Service

In early 2024, Etihad started its India expansion with a bang. The airline launched daily flights connecting Abu Dhabi to both Kozhikode and Trivandrum. Now, it has decided to enhance the Trivandrum service.

From June 15, the frequency between Abu Dhabi and Trivandrum will be increased from seven to ten times a week. Additional three flights will be operated every week utilizing the Airbus A320ceo aircraft.

Here is a quick look at all additional flights to Jaipur, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.

In June, Etihad is expected to deploy its new Airbus A321neo aircraft on three Indian routes. This list includes Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. According to aircraft tracking website planespotters.net, the airline is eyeing a delivery of 6 Airbus A321neos, all of which used to serve the Vietnam-based Bamboo Airways.

Bilateral Agreement Usage & Next Expansion Phase

Under the bilateral agreement signed between India and the United Arab Emirates, the airlines based in Abu Dhabi are allowed to sell 50,000 one-way weekly seats between India and Abu Dhabi. Two airlines- Air Arabia and Etihad Airways are jointly offering 42,000 seats on sale currently. With the help of the remaining 8,000 seats, Etihad will launch Jaipur operations and will enhance frequency to other Indian cities.

After the June increment, Etihad Airways is looking to implement the next phase of Indian market expansion in the initial three months of calendar year 2025. India holds great significance for Etihad Airways.

 

According to Arik De, the Chief Commercial Officer of the airline, one-third of the airline’s crew members have Indian origin. The airline has around 6,000 crew members. Indian-origin employees, followed by Moroccans and Romanians form the backbone of Etihad’s frontline operations.

In order to ensure the highest quality and freshness of meals, the airline uplifts meals from 8-9 cities in India. For context, it operates to 11 Indian cities. Currently standing with a fleet of 90 aircraft, the airline is aiming to increase the number of aircraft to 165-170 by 2030.

Etihad Eyeing a Big Pie of India USA Market

Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport is the only airport in the Middle East to have a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility. This facility allows passengers to undergo immigration, customs, and security clearance before departing from Abu Dhabi to the United States. The pre-clearance facility allows passengers to streamline their arrival in the USA, making the process more efficient.

 

Recently, the new terminal building at Zayed International Airport was inaugurated. The CBP facility is available at the old terminal. By September month, it will be shifted to the new terminal building. Furthermore, passengers traveling via Etihad Airways have access to more destinations in North America because of the strategic partnership signed between Etihad and American carriers like American Airlines and JetBlue.

Previously, a senior executive from Etihad said that New York JFK is one of the most preferred airports for Indian passengers. The airline is currently operating the Airbus A380 to JFK.

IndiGo’s Long-Haul Ambitions Pose No Danger to Etihad

Airlines in India are firm to expand their wings internationally. Currently, Indian airlines handle only 43% of the international traffic originating or ending in India. But this scenario is going to change in the coming time. Air India has inducted five A350s in its fleet and is gearing up for delivery of the sixth one. It has 70 widebody jets on order. On the other hand, IndiGo also has ordered 30 Airbus A350s, with the first jet scheduled for delivery in 2027.

 

According to Arik De, the long-haul plans of IndiGo do not pose any danger to the ambitions of Etihad Airways. He said that India has a population of 140 crore. Indian carriers will focus on non-stop travel, while Gulf carriers will focus on catering to one-stop passengers from the Indian market. The market is big enough for the co-existence of both non-stop and one-stop players.

He cited the example of the Mumbai to London route. Currently, three airlines operate non-stop flights between Mumbai and London. Air India, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic operate 2X, 3X & 1X daily flights respectively on this route. Overall, three airlines operate 42 times a week on this route non-stop. Despite this, Etihad holds a 12% traffic share in this market.

 

Hence, Indian carriers and nearby hub-based airlines will continue to cater to the long-haul traffic to and from India.

Conclusion: Etihad & India Expansion

Etihad already operates to 11 Indian cities. The airline will launch its 12th Indian destination in June in the form of Jaipur. Along with this, it will enhance frequency on three Indian routes: Abu Dhabi to Trivandrum, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. After this, the airline plans its next expansion in Jan-Mar 2025. As soon as the US CBP facility is shifted to the new terminal building, Etihad expects a substantial rise in the number of Indian travelers heading to the USA transiting via Abu Dhabi.

IndiGo’s A350 order poses no threat to the one-stop market. Both airlines will continue to co-exist.

What do you think about Etihad’s expansion in the Indian market? Discuss in the comment section.