Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Etihad Airways has announced the suspension of its Abu Dhabi – Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) route effective 25 March 2018, as it will become commercially unsustainable following American Airlines’ unilateral decision to terminate its codeshare agreement with the airline.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief
Executive Officer, said: “The unfortunate decision by American Airlines to
terminate a commercial relationship that benefited both carriers has left
Etihad with no choice but to suspend flights between our Abu Dhabi home and
Dallas/Fort Worth.
“We are open to American Airlines reversing
its decision to cancel our codeshare agreement so that Etihad Airways can continue
the route and together protect and support American national interests and
global connectivity while driving commercial value for both airlines.”
Etihad Airways has invested heavily in the DFW
route since its launch in December 2014. The route commenced with three flights
a week and was upgraded to a daily service in February 2017, providing
travellers in the US and across the airline’s network with access to more US
cities through American Airlines’ primary hub. More than 235,000 travellers have
flown on the route since its launch. Almost half of Etihad Airways’ DFW customers
connect on US codeshare flights operated by American Airlines.
Mr Baumgartner added, “The
cancellation of the Dallas route is one of several adjustments that we are
making to our US network in 2018 in order to improve system profitability.
Further changes are possible as we monitor the full impact of the American
Airlines codeshare cancellation on summer 2018 bookings.
“Etihad Airways is grateful to the state of
Texas, its authorities, including the Mayor’s offices in Dallas and Fort Worth,
DFW International Airport, local businesses, the travel trade, and the
travelling public for their partnership throughout the years of our operation.”
According to independent research by Oxford
Economics, in 2016 Etihad Airways contributed US$3.8 billion to the US economy,
supported more than 30,000 American jobs, and brought 280,000 additional visitors
to the United States. These visitors, who travelled from growing markets historically
ignored by US carriers and partners, contributed US$1.9 billion to the US
economy and supported an additional 22,000 American jobs.
Etihad
Airways is also a major customer of widebody aircraft built by the Boeing
Company, with firm orders for 71 GE-powered Boeing 787s and 25 Boeing 777Xs, both
of which will support the airline’s fleet renewal programme. All of the
airline’s First Class seating, as well as The Residence on the Airbus A380, is built
by US based aircraft cabin interior manufacturer B/E Aerospace, now part of
Rockwell Collins. In 2012, Etihad Airways also signed a deal valued at more
than a billion US dollars with aviation computer technology provider Sabre
Airline Solutions.
Etihad Airways currently operates 42 non-stop
flights a week to five US gateways – Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles,
New York and Washington. Additionally,
Etihad Cargo operates twice weekly Boeing 777F freighter services to and from
Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, and Tucson, Arizona.