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Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways marks a major milestone in its rapid growth story on Wednesday, November 5 when it celebrates its fifth anniversary.
On the same day in 2003 the national airline of the United Arab Emirates launched its inaugural flight from its home base of Abu Dhabi to Al Ain which was followed a week later by Etihad's first commercial passenger flight to Beirut.
Etihad in five years has flown nearly 14 million passengers on more than 87,000 flights to 48 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Australia, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. The airline's fleet has grown to 39 aircraft and will reach 42 aircraft by the end of the year.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways chief executive said: "Etihad has achieved significant growth since it took to the skies five years ago and it continues to maintain its position as the world's fastest-growing airline."
"Since our inaugural flight, we have flown 14 million business and leisure travellers and built up a global network of 48 destinations, supported by one of the youngest and most environmentally efficient aircraft fleets in the world. This is a staggering achievement and one which our airline is very proud."
The airline's incredible growth story shows little signs of slowing. Etihad announced recently that it has set its sights on flying 25 million passengers a year and more than doubling the number of cities served to 100 by 2020. To support this continued growth, Etihad's workforce is expected to grow to 27,000 people by 2020 from its current figure of 6,700.
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