International partners the key to make profits take-off for one UAE airline

Etihad Airlines are go

The Abu Dhabi-based airline yesterday revealed it pulled in revenue of $1.25 billion between April and June - up from $957 million it recorded in the same period last year.

Passenger numbers during the quarter leaped 34 per cent to 2.6 million. The firm didn’t release profit figures.

High-flying Etihad Airways believes its strategy of partnering with overseas airlines has helped fuel a sharp quarterly rise in passenger numbers and sales

Etihad President and CEO James Hogan said it is nonetheless “on track to achieve our profit targets for the end of the year.”

The airline has bought up stakes in four separate airlines - including Germany’s second-biggest, Air Berlin.

Hogan did not rule out further acquisitions either.

“We’re always looking, as long as it meets our criteria,” he said.