Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi-based airline partner of Virgin Australia, has pledged its support to Australian travellers disrupted by the current Qantas dispute.

The Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, James Hogan, said he would be working closely with Virgin Australia Chief Executive John Borghetti to assess and meet Australia’s capacity requirements during what was certain to be an unsettling period for Australian travellers.

“We are already looking at a range of options to support Virgin Australia in its home market by freeing up additional capacity if required,” Mr Hogan said.

Potential options being discussed include operating a shuttle service between Sydney and Melbourne on certain days of the week using Etihad Airways aircraft; and operating a daily flight between Sydney and Bangkok. 

“We also stand ready to assist Qantas passengers who are stranded overseas and need to travel home, and have advised our call centres worldwide to do everything possible to assist people in these circumstances – in fact, to help anyone whose international travel plans have been affected.”

Etihad Airways, which has already been recognised in four categories by the World Travel Awards   this year, including Middle East’s Leading Airline, operates 24 weekly flights from Australia to the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and North America via its hub in Abu Dhabi. This includes double daily flights from Sydney, daily flights from Melbourne and three weekly flights from Brisbane. It offers connections to and from other Australian cities and towns in conjunction with its partner Virgin Australia group of airlines.

World Travel Award
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