Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, will announce Etihad’s plans to gain a greater share of Australia’s $12 billion aviation market during an international keynote address at the Aviation Outlook Australia Pacific 2011.

Addressing aviation industry leaders at 10.10am on 21st July, Baumgartner will outline Etihad’s plans to work with Virgin on corporate deals; Etihad’s customer service ethos and how the Abu Dhabi based carrier plans to build a brand through sport in Australia.

The Aviation Outlook Australia forum which is currently in progress at the Shangri La, Sydney Australia, is one of the region’s largest conferences and marks one of the most important events in the travel calendar for aviation executives.

Baumgartner will join a roster of expert speakers including: Mr Bruce Buchanan, Chief Executive Officer, Jetstar Airways; Mr Rick Howell, General Manager - Flight Operations, Virgin Blue; Mr Alan Joyce, Chief Executive Officer, Qantas and Mr Andrew Parker, Senior Vice President, Emirates Airline.

This year’s forum is focusing on emerging trends and issues faced by airlines and airports, including: Pacific airlines and airports; global distribution; how airlines can maximise ancillary revenue; multi-channel customer engagement in a recovering economy and customer loyalty and retention as a wider range of options become available.

Peter Baumgartner picks up the award for World’s Leading Airline from World Travel Awards president Graham Cooke

Etihad Airways is well placed to begin its expansion into the Australian market, having recently reported its most successful first half year, with revenues up 28 per cent to US$ 1,720 million (H1 2010: US$ 1,342 million), driven by solid performances in both passenger and cargo activities.

In other positive news, Etihad was named “Middle East’s Leading Airline”, “Middle East’s Leading Airline First Class”, “Middle East’s Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment” and “Middle East’s Leading Cabin Staff” for the World Travel Awards Middle East Ceremony in May 2011. Etihad will automatically be nominated for the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony that will take place on November 30th in Qatar.

No stranger to winning awards, in 2010 Etihad was named “World’s Leading Airline”, “World’s Leading First Class Airline” and “Middle East’s Leading Airline” at the World Travel Awards.

Etihad flight takes to the skies

The carrier is renowned for its excellent onboard product, luxurious airport lounges and strong service ethic during a period of phenomenal growth.

Peter Baumgartner was appointed Chief Commercial Officer in April 2009. He joined Etihad Airways in April 2004 and has managed the airline’s intense global commercial efforts during a period of rapid growth – both its network expansion and the introduction of new product and service innovations.

City.Mobi

Also in Australia today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Sydney.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and AbuDhabi.Mobi.

sydney.mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Caption: Sydney is a vibrant metropolis of 4.5 million people

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.