Etihad boss on growth, competition and breaking even

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS FORUM: The cream of the quotes from Etihad's top man - with video.

Flying high - Etihad plans more growth this summer with more services to the US, China and Europe. Andrew Parsons / The National

Here is what James Hogan, Etihad's chief executive, had to say on a number of issues.

On Etihad’s commercial mandate:

It is obviously to be best in class. It is not to be the biggest airline. It is to be best in class where we decide to compete, whether it is economy, whether it’s a two-class product, or a three-class product. It is to obviously support the aspirations of the [Abu Dhabi] 2030 vision. But, as importantly, it is to move to profitability and stay there.

On pushing back the break-even target:

If you consider back at the end of 2006, we set a business plan for break even in 2010 … And certainly we achieved our objectives in 2007 and 2008 in seat factor and yield. Going into the global financial crisis, we … advised our board what would be the risk, and with the agreement of the board, moved our break-even target out … We are bullish that, as the market changes, we will achieve our break even.

On Etihad’s growth compared with other Gulf carriers:

Where Etihad is today after seven years, with 7 million passengers, it took Qatar Airways 12 years to achieve that figure, and Emirates 18 years to achieve that figure.

On addressing the large number of hotel rooms coming online in Abu Dhabi:

Etihad and TDIC, and ADTA are all coming together to tackle that question. We will be coming out with a much stronger marketing programme with the hoteliers. That can only happen if there is availability with inventory. Over the past three years, for most hotels this was not an issue. But now the stock is coming online.

On the opportunities in serving the Indian market:

Take India, with a middle class of 300 million, and 40 airports today [rising to] 70 to 90 airports in 10 years’ time. The Europeans and Americans can fly into Delhi, they can fly into Bombay — we’ll take the rest.