The growing number of passengers being delivered to Europe by Middle Eastern carriers is boosting European tourism and local airline traffic, according to Etihad boss James Hogan.
Speaking at the Vlerick Marketing Colloquim in Brussels, Hogan insisted significant passenger numbers are being delivered to European airlines by the Gulf carriers from markets including South East Asia, the Indian sub-continent and Australasia.
He highlighted additional benefits for Europe as increased consumer choice, and boosts to inbound tourism for a number of European nations.
Increased Australian visitation is a key example, he added. Aussies buoyed by the strong dollar can struggle to access continental Europe via European airlines which have withdrawn or scaled back services in favour of codeshare partnerships.
"Australia has a large number of residents of European heritage, but no longer has any flights operated by carriers based in continental Europe," he said.
Although Hogan identified Europe as significant for Etihad, he stressed the importance of codeshare and equity alliances in effectively serving the region.
"We serve Europe through codeshare or equity alliances with 18 partners, delivering strong benefits to all of the carriers and more choice for travellers, and we continue to look for opprtunities to build upon these relationships," he said.
