Abu Dhabi-Based Global Carrier Earns Top Accolade At 2016 Travel Awards
New Delhi, INDIA – Etihad Airways’ excellence in service and hospitality has been recognised once again with the Abu Dhabi-based carrier winning the Best International Airline Award at the annual Condé Nast Traveller India Readers’ Travel Awards 2016.
The national airline of the United Arab Emirates was presented with the accolade at a prestigious awards ceremony attended by illustrious travel industry peers at The Lodhi Hotel in New Delhi.
Now in its sixth edition, the Condé Nast Traveller India Readers’ Travel Awards recognise excellence across different sectors of the travel industry – from airlines, hotels and cruise lines, to destinations, spas and luxury resorts.
The latest honour comes in the same week as Etihad Airways won the world’s leading airline award at the World Travel Awards for the eight consecutive year during a glittering ceremony in the Maldives.
Etihad Airways’ renowned dedication to innovation, quality service and comfort was recognised in the Condé Nast readers’ poll carried out over two months. The airline was singled out for its revolutionary and best in-class innovative designs, together with offering a superior customer experience.
India is one of Etihad Airways’ key markets, operating 252 scheduled flights a week with strategic partner Jet Airways from 15 cities across the country to Abu Dhabi, with onward connections to destinations worldwide.
Neerja Bhatia, Etihad Airways Vice President Indian Subcontinent, said: “It is a great honour for Etihad Airways to be recognised by travellers for reaching these heights in one of the most dynamic aviation markets in the world. This year has been extra special for us in India as we introduced our flagship Airbus A380 with award-winning interiors on the Mumbai – Abu Dhabi route.
“Condé Nast Traveller represents the world of luxury and this award is testament to our world class product and service, as well as our commitment to the India market, recognising the passion and dedication of our employees here and globally.”
Etihad Airways and Jet Airways together fly one in five travellers to and from India – the biggest combined market share of any international carrier. Indian cities served are Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mangalore, Mumbai, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram.
Next year, Chandigarh, Kannur and Tiruchirappalli will be introduced to the Etihad Airways / Jet Airways route network between India and the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, taking the total weekly frequency linking both markets to 280 scheduled flights. With onward connections via Abu Dhabi to cities across the Middle East, Europe, Africa and North America, as well as a large network offering in Asia and Australia, Etihad Airways has become the airline of choice.
In May this year, Etihad Airways introduced its A380 to the Indian market, operating a daily scheduled flight between Mumbai and the airline’s Abu Dhabi hub. The A380 features Etihad Airways’ signature The Residence – the only three-room suite in commercial aviation – nine First Apartments, 70 Business Studios, and 415 Economy Smart Seats.
Since its inception in the US in 1989, the Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards have been widely regarded as the people’s choice awards. The prestigious travel title has subsequently expanded its awards to sister publications around the world.
About Etihad Aviation Group
Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) is a diversified global aviation and travel group comprising four business divisions – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways Engineering, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners. The group has minority investments in seven airlines: airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional.
From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to, or has announced plans to serve, more than 110 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of over 120 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 204 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s.