Etihad Airways' CEO visits the airline's south Asian destinations

At his first stop in Bangkok, Mr Hogan hosted a VIP lunch and cocktail event to commemorate Etihad’s seventh year of service to the Thai capital. His Excellency Mohammed Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Thailand, was among the 400 dignitaries and guests at the evening event.

Mr. Hogan, who was accompanied by senior Etihad executives Khaled Almehairbi and Hassan Al Hammadi on this visit, also held talks with codeshare partner Bangkok Airways president Captain Puttipong Prasartthong-Osoth and Thai Airways president Piyasvati Amranand.

Mr. Hogan said: “Our seventh anniversary celebrations highlight the significance of Bangkok to Etihad’s operations.

“The Thai capital was one of Etihad’s first long haul destinations. When we started flying here on April 3, 2004, Bangkok was only the second in the airline’s long haul network, after London Heathrow.

“Today, Bangkok is Etihad’s number one destination in Asia with the greatest deployment of seat capacity of 824 seats per day.”

Mr Hogan commemorated the route’s seventh anniversary with the launch of two marketing initiatives: a new Thai-language version of the website etihad.com and Etihad corporate logo.

“These new brand assets and the Thai-language website, in particular, recognise the importance of the Thai market to Etihad’s business and our enduring commitment to it.

“Etihad is proud to be the first and currently only airline from the Gulf region to offer this bespoke service to the Thai people."

Today, in Singapore, Mr. Hogan hosted a second VIP lunch attended by the UAE Ambassador to Singapore, His Excellency Mohamed Ahmed Hamel Al Qubaisi; the Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, Mr. Doug Chester; local business leaders; travel trade partners; and foreign chambers of commerce representatives.

He was also a studio guest on CNBC Asia’s Squawk Box and the BBC’s World News Asia Business Report which are broadcast extensively throughout  Asia and on syndication worldwide.

Singapore is a major contributor to Etihad’s business in the south Asia region. It is an important source of passenger and cargo traffic to Abu Dhabi and beyond to the Middle East, UK and Europe and a gateway to Australia for travellers from Singapore and the airline’s global network.

Etihad’s three weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Singapore offer seamless connections at the airline’s Abu Dhabi hub to destinations in the Middle East, UK and Europe and from Singapore to Brisbane where passengers can connect to Virgin Blue Group of Airlines’ Australian domestic, New Zealand and South Pacific network of more than 45 destinations.

Mr. Hogan said: “Since our inaugural flight to Singapore on September, 28 2007, the route has become one of the most successful for Etihad in Asia.

 “The Singapore travel market is a very discerning one so we are proud that our airline is recognised here for the superior quality of our products and service, both in the air and on the ground.

“We will continue to focus on enhancements in all areas of our business in this market to ensure we offer a real alternative to the competition.”

Mr. Hogan thanked the Etihad staff in Thailand and Singapore for their commitment and contribution to the airline’s success. He also acknowledged the tourism boards of Thailand, Singapore and Australia for their investment in joint campaigns to grow tourism into each market.

“Etihad is committed to supporting the growth of tourism into Thailand, Singapore and Australia and also to providing business and leisure travelers with fast and convenient access through Abu Dhabi to our popular destinations in UK, Ireland, Europe and the Middle East."

Above from left to right: Cramer Ball, Etihad regional general manager Southern Asia and Australia, Hasan Al Hammadi, senior vice president chief executive affairs and corporate security, James Hogan chief executive officer of Etihad Airways, His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Thailand and Khaled Almehairbi, senior vice president Government affairs and aeropolitical.