Etihad Airways National Carrier of The United Arab Emirates Is a New UATP Merchanttitle
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- United Arab Emirates (UAE) airline,
Etihad Airways, joins the UATP network as a new merchant airline. Etihad now
accepts all UATP corporate cards, issued by 14 airlines worldwide and accepted
as form of payment by travel agencies and over 220 airlines worldwide.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040318/UATPLOGO )
"With a vision of opening Abu Dhabi and the UAE further to the rest of the
world, Etihad Airways is focusing on strategic goals to increase market share
and be easily accessible to all travelers, including the corporate traveler,"
said Ian Ferguson-Brown, Head of Corporate Communications, Etihad Airways.
"By accepting UATP, Etihad is opening new revenue possibilities by supplying
the corporate traveler with their desire to use UATP cards on Etihad and in
the UAE."
Etihad Airways was recently awarded the "Worlds Leading New Airline" for
the second consecutive year at the 12th World Travel Awards, London. The
awards are considered one of the best endorsements a company can aspire to and
are cast by travel agents in over 190 countries worldwide. Etihad also
successfully completed its maiden flight as part of the Airbus A380 flight
test program. In 2004, Etihad signed a USD 7 billion deal with Airbus to
purchase 24 aircraft, including four A380s.
"Etihad joins other airlines in the strategic quest for market share. By
accepting UATP, Etihad will be able to grow its corporate travel sector and
increase its presence," said Ralph Kaiser, CEO and president, UATP. "The UAE
is a strong and growing market for corporate travel and Etihad is positioning
itself to be a major player in the market by making smart business decisions
by listening to its client base and accepting UATP."
Founded in 2003 as the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates,
Etihad Airways has rapidly grown, ending 2004 with over 16 destinations across
Europe, Asia and the Middle East and is well on its way to its 2010 goal of
nearly 70 destinations.
Visit http://www.uatp.com or http://www.etihadairways.com for additional
information.
About UATP
UATP accounts are accepted as a form of payment for corporate business
travel by more than 200 airlines worldwide. UATP accounts are issued by these
airlines: Aer Lingus, Air New Zealand, American Airlines (NYSE: AMR), Austrian
Airlines, Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL), Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines
(NasdaqOTC: JALSY), Qantas Airways, Ltd., Scandinavian Airlines System, United
Airlines (OTC Bulletin Board: UALAQ), US Airways
(OTC Bulletin Board: UAIRQ.OB), and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. AirPlus
International issues the UATP-based Company Account for: British Airways
(NYSE: BAB), Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL), and Lufthansa German Airlines.
Press contact:
Wendy L. Ward
UATP
202-626-4077
