Etihad Airways chief reaffirms commitment to Maharashtra

(MENAFN- Arab News) James Hogan Etihad Airways' president and CEO Thursday met the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to reaffirm the Abu Dhabi-based airline's commitment to the Indian state and its capital Mumbai.
Hogan accompanied by Vijay Poonoosamy the airline's vice president international and public affairs and Neerja Bhatia GM-India met Fadnavis at his official residence.
During the meeting the chief minister outlined the priorities of the state identifying areas of mutual interest and opportunities for Etihad Airways to support economic growth.
The chief minister and Hogan discussed new areas of collaboration between Maharashtra and Etihad Airways especially in tourism and cargo exports.
In turn Hogan gave the chief minister an introduction to Etihad Airways its operations into India and the significant benefits that come from the airline's commercial and strategic partnership with Jet Airways.
Etihad Airways and Jet Airways together operate more than 220 flights between India and Abu Dhabi each week.
In the first six months of 2015 Etihad Airways transferred more than 235000 guests onto Jet Airways' network into India through its codeshare partnership with Jet Airways providing 182000 guests onto the Etihad Airways network.
Etihad Airways was the first foreign airline to invest in an Indian carrier under the current FDI policy of India making a $750 million investment which includes a 24 percent equity stake in the airline.
Etihad Cargo also carries more than 1200 tons of Indian products and exports to key markets in Europe the United States and the Middle East each week and operates a dedicated freighter operation from Mumbai.
In the last five years Etihad Airways has carried more than five million guests to and from India.
Relations between the UAE and India continue to build with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to visit the UAE on Aug. 16 and 17.