Etihad marks 15 years of flying in India, set to increase flight frequency

Etihad Airways is celebrating 15 years of flying in India. The UAE-based airline operates in 10 cities in India and has 161 flights a week.

India is a major market for the company and it is always looking at means to grow its footprint in the country, Neerja Bhatia, VP-Indian Subcontinent, Etihad Airways, told CNBC-TV18.

“Last year we got a wide body into Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore and added a fourth frequency in Mumbai. So, yes, we are looking at opportunities to close the gaps and we would be doing an extra flight to Trivandrum which would make our offering twice a day," she observed.

According to Bhatia, product differentiation and high-quality service are crucial to the airline's success.

“While our premium guests are very important to us, I think economy is equally important. We have recently refurbished our aircraft wherein we are giving extra opportunity in terms of more legroom; there is more comfort in terms of seats now. We are also offering multiple choices to our customers today,” she added.