Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways has revealed major changes in the GDS for the Summer 2010 IATA season in terms of capacity increases mainly across its medium haul network. The main highlights are as follows:

LHE - capacity increased from March 30th by 40% to 3 weekly B 773ERs + 4 weekly A 346s. Effective June 13th, capacity will be further increased with a 4th weekly flight operated by a B 773ER on Mondays!

MAN - capacity increased from June 7th from daily A 332 to daily nonstop flights using a B 773ER.

FRA - capacity increase effective May 14th from double daily A 332s to 2 weekly A 346s + 12 weekly A 332s.

DUB - frequencies increased from daily to 10 weekly nonstop flights using an A 332.

KHI - capacity increased from daily A 320 to 5 weekly A 320 + weekly A 332 + weekly A 346.

Comments:

The B 773ERs from LHE will be a 3 weekly same plane service via AUH to YYZ-Toronto where as the A 346s will be a same plane service to JFK. Both moves are meant to severely impact PIA and EK's market share on these sectors with which the right marketing and sales tools can reap high rewards for EY.

FYI, the majority of Pakistanis (65%) residing in NYC and YYZ hail from the Punjab region of Pakistan of which LHE airport is their main gateway point. It is also worth mentioning that fares to LHE are usually 15% higher versus KHI as well hence higher yielding too for carriers!