Etihad Airways CEO sees opportunity in ultra long haul operations

5 February, 2018

Etihad Airways CEO Peter Baumgartner said the airline expects to benefit from ultra long haul operations enabled by new aircraft, stating: "Ultra long haul flying enabled by the latest aircraft technology is as much an opportunity for us as something that might impact our hub... To be honest, in our part of the world when you look at existing traffic streams and emerging traffic streams, the upside for us as a hub carrier is immense" (Orient Aviation, 01-Feb-2018). He added: "When you look at South America, Southeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific, China, Africa, the Indian sub-continent, every year there are millions of citizens who reach the disposable income threshold that allows them to travel. There is enormous growth potential right at our doorstep, all crossing over our part of the world".