Etihad CEO addresses ABTA conference about airlines benefitting from digital revolution

Etihad Airways chief executive officer, Peter Baumgartner, has addressed the annual Travel Convention summit in Abu Dhabi and took the opportunity to underline to conference delegates how the airline will continue to be a leader in the development of the aviation sector, through its approach to innovation and technological advancement.
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The Travel Convention held annually and organised by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), is being held in Abu Dhabi between 10 and 12 October at the Yas Viceroy Hotel on Yas Island, the city’s hub of leisure, sports and retail activities.

The airline continues to invest in a next-generation fleet and is expected to take delivery of its first Airbus 350 in 2017.  Baumgartner said: “Technology is an area that offers the next opportunity for a great leap forward.  We will continue to see new innovation in product design – and for anyone out there thinking that the A380 and Dreamliner products mark Etihad’s high point, I simply mention we are now working on our A350 product.”

He also highlighted the theme of partnership and explained how Etihad Airways partner airlines are working with the world’s leading technology companies – such as Sabre, IBM, Adobe, Cognizant, SAP and many others – to create a unified strategy to transform the way each airline interacts with guests at every touch-point of their journey.

Delegates attending the event heard how Etihad Airways has dealt with the challenges faced by the industry, which include technology, economic pressures and the changing shape of the market. However, by focussing on the core fundamentals of customer care and by not following the herd, it is possible to differentiate and be recognised as a travel industry leader.

 

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