Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Etihad Airways has announced the
suspension of its Abu Dhabi – Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) route effective 25 March 2018,
as it will become commercially unsustainable following American Airlines’ unilateral
decision to terminate its codeshare agreement with the airline.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said:
“The unfortunate decision by American Airlines to terminate a commercial
relationship that benefited both carriers has left Etihad with no choice but to
suspend flights between our Abu Dhabi home and Dallas/Fort Worth.
“We are open to American Airlines reversing its decision to cancel
our codeshare agreement so that Etihad Airways can continue the route and together
protect and support American national interests and global connectivity while
driving commercial value for both airlines.”
Etihad Airways has invested heavily in the DFW route since its
launch in December 2014. The route commenced with three flights a week and was
upgraded to a daily service in February 2017, providing travellers in the US
and across the airline’s network with access to more US cities through American
Airlines’ primary hub. More than 235,000 travellers have flown on the route
since its launch. Almost half of Etihad Airways’ DFW customers connect on US
codeshare flights operated by American Airlines.
Mr Baumgartner added, “The cancellation of the Dallas route is one
of several adjustments that we are making to our US network in 2018 in order to
improve system profitability. Further changes are possible as we monitor the
full impact of the American Airlines codeshare cancellation on summer 2018
bookings.
“Etihad Airways is grateful to the state of Texas, its
authorities, including the Mayor’s offices in Dallas and Fort Worth, DFW
International Airport, local businesses, the travel trade, and the travelling
public for their partnership throughout the years of our operation.”
According to independent research by Oxford Economics, in 2016 Etihad
Airways contributed US$3.8 billion to the US economy, supported more than
30,000 American jobs, and brought 280,000 additional visitors to the United
States. These visitors, who travelled from growing markets historically ignored
by US carriers and partners, contributed US$1.9 billion to the US economy and supported
an additional 22,000 American jobs.
Etihad Airways is also a major customer of widebody aircraft built
by the Boeing Company, with firm orders for 71 GE-powered Boeing 787s and 25
Boeing 777Xs, both of which will support the airline’s fleet renewal programme.
All of the airline’s First Class seating, as well as The Residence on the
Airbus A380, is built by US based aircraft cabin interior manufacturer B/E
Aerospace, now part of Rockwell Collins. In 2012, Etihad Airways also signed a
deal valued at more than a billion US dollars with aviation computer technology
provider Sabre Airline Solutions.
Etihad Airways currently operates 42 non-stop flights a week to five
US gateways – Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York and Washington. Additionally, Etihad Cargo operates twice weekly
Boeing 777F freighter services to and from Rickenbacker International Airport
in Columbus, Ohio, and Tucson, Arizona.
-ENDS-
About Etihad Aviation Group
Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) is a diversified global aviation and
travel group comprising five business divisions – Etihad Airways, the national
airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways Engineering, Etihad Airport
Services, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners.
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. In 2013, it placed firm orders for 204
aircraft, which included 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and
10 Airbus A380s. For more information, please visit: etihad.com
For more information, contact:
Updesh Kapur
Etihad Airways Corporate Communications
Direct: +971 2 511 3276
Mob: +971 5 6546 1402
Email: ukapur@etihad.ae
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