Eithad takes aim at “desperate" rivals

Eithad takes aim at “desperate" rivals
By admin


The world order of aviation is changing despite the best efforts of legacy European carriers to squeeze out younger competitors, according to Etihad chief executive James Hogan.

Melbourne-born Hogan branded attempts to shut Gulf carriers out of certain markets as a “desperate” strategy from struggling airlines.

Speaking in Sydney yesterday, he said “Europe is no longer the centre of the world when it comes to aviation”.

“They are trying to shut Gulf carriers out, be it in India, Canada or anywhere else but it is short term thinking at best,” he said. “Protecting a market from free competition is always the last resort of the desperate. It merely obscures the brutal truth. Competition should always be welcome.”

Hogan described comments from former Star Alliance chief executive Jaan Albrecht that Gulf carriers “steal” business and do not generate new traffic as “extraordinary”.

“European carriers are increasingly coming to terms with the threat to their market share by the younger carriers,” he told the National Aviation Press Club. “They don’t like it, that’s natural, but that’s competition. But saying Gulf carriers are not generating new traffic is extraordinary.

“The Gulf region alone had over 50 million people, between half and a third are under the age of 25. Within three hours flying time we have a market of a billion people. Many of them have only recently found themselves able to afford to travel by air.”

Middle East hubs have become “the crossroads of global aviation”, he added, with increasing numbers of passengers looking to alternatives to European carriers and hubs.

Highlighting Etihad’s reach into Europe, Hogan said: “There is no longer the need for passengers to fly back on themselves. Europe is no longer the centre of the world when it comes to aviation.”

Latest News

  • Cruise

P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu

P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]

  • Destinations

Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan

Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]

  • Appointments

Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role

Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]

  • Appointments

Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]