Etihad Airways has partnered with the leading UK-based travel service provider dnata to increase Etihad Holidays’ distribution power in the UK market. With the collaboration, dnata will provide sales and services, ground product and brand marketing functions for Etihad Holidays in UK.
The partnership will provide opportunities for greater engagement with UK travellers. The initial focus of the partnership will be to promote Abu Dhabi by showcasing its culture, history, sports and leisure, and entertainment attractions to travellers of different age groups and types.
We look forward to welcoming travellers to our home, Abu Dhabi, when the world is ready to travel again. Our new partner dnata Travel Group will act as the essential link between Etihad Holidays and the consumer, while providing full support of our marketing and distribution activities in the UK.”
Hareb Al Muhairy, Senior Vice President of Destination and Leisure Management for Etihad Airways
The partnership formally commences in May 2020 with holidays available for later in 2020, and holidays for 2021 already up for sale. The division will be led by the new Head of Etihad Holidays UK at dnata Travel Group, Lisa Balsom.
For a number of years, Etihad Holidays has offered a comprehensive range of packages to Abu Dhabi and beyond, including the Middle and Far East, Indian Ocean and Australia. Our focus is to grow from that strong foundation and use our tour operating and brand-building expertise, to further increase arrival numbers into the UAE capital and broaden the range and choice of destinations and products available. This has been an unprecedented period for all of our UK operations, so we’re very pleased to have reached agreement on this partnership against such a challenging backdrop. In doing so, we add to dnata Travel Group’s already extensive portfolio of brands in this market, and our overall potential for growth.”
John Bevan, CEO of dnata Travel Group
Etihad Airways has been operating repatriation and cargo flights during the difficult time. The airline has been preparing to resume operations and has increased the number of in-bound flights to certain key destinations.
With the safety of passengers and crew as the utmost priority, the airline will continue following all UAE and international government and regulatory authority directives. Moreover, Etihad has implemented an extensive sanitation and customer well being programme to ensure the highest standards of hygiene throughout the journey, including social distancing in-flight. Passengers arriving into Abu Dhabi will undertake PCR and thermal testing upon arrival and require to self-isolate for 14 days.
