Etihad hails ‘game changing year’
MIDDLE East airline Etihad, which operates two daily flights from Manchester and is the major sponsor of Manchester City FC, has hailed a successful 2012, which saw profits soaring and passenger numbers passing 10 million for the first time.
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier said its Manchester-based European customer contact centre – which was opened 12 months ago – had made a good contribution already.
The call centre employs more than 190 staff and has answered almost half a million calls in 18 markets in nine languages since opening, generating more than $20m in revenue.
James Hogan, president and chief executive said: “This has been a game-changing year for Etihad Airways. We have delivered improved net profit, the second consecutive year we have been in the black, a remarkable achievement given the youth, ambitious growth and ongoing investment made by this airline in a challenging global economic environment.
“We have taken great strides in building the industry’s first ‘equity alliance’, with our investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia and Aer Lingus, which are contributing significant value to our business.”
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rose 24% to $170m. Revenues climbed to $4.8bn from $4.1bn in 2011.
