We know that Abu Dhabi's national airline Etihad Airways is facing management difficulties, in particular due to its past investments in financially fragile airlines. The shareholder thus saw its subsidiaries disappear AirBerlin and Etihad Regional (formerly Darwin Airlines) last year and withdrew from the capital ofAlitalia.
For passengers, Etihad's austerity measures mean the discontinuation of several services These include limousine transfers and a barber/hairdresser service in its Abu Dhabi lounges. At the same time, the Abu Dhabi airline is developing pay-per-use services, an unusual marketing policy for a major airline. Gulf airline.
Since last December, for example, passengers have been able to book and buy pyjamas designed by Christian Lacroix on very long-haul flights for 35 US dollars. Complete toiletry kits are also sold in economy class for 22 dollars. In addition to the standard meal service, the airline now offers additional snacks and drinks on certain long-haul flights, such as a glass of champagne from 8 dollars or sweet, organic and gluten-free snacks from 2.50 dollars to 6 dollars.
Given the success of this formula, the carrier has just extended the range of products on sale on board to include around ten new products. Since last year, economy class passengers have been able to take advantage of.., against $101Business passengers can purchase an upgrade for access to the First Class lounge.
However, the company reserves a nasty surprise to its economy class passengers. Advance seat reservations are now subject to a charge. And it's not that cheap. For a standard seat, you now have to pay at least 25 dollars per journey. But the supplement can reach over 100 dollars for a seat in the front row or on an emergency exit (Preferred Seat or Extra Room Seat). Comfort also has its price...
In addition, Etihad continues toadjust your network in order to reduce its operating losses. The carrier suspended its service to Dar Es Salam in Tanzania in September and reduced its frequencies from two to one daily flight to Colombo, Karachi and Kathmandu, as well as from seven to four weekly frequencies to the Seychelles. The only new service this winter is the Abu Dhabi-Barcelona route, scheduled to open in November with five weekly frequencies.
