Etihad celebrates global aviation award

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has received a major accolade at this year's Airline Business awards.

The airline was recognised for the strong brand that it has created in the marketplace and the innovative sponsorship programmes it has developed with sporting and cultural partners.

Judges at the awards, which were hosted by Airline Business magazine, said that Etihad customers "see the same brand at every touch-point", from the carrier's check-in desks and premium lounges to its inflight services.

Peter Baumgartner, the Abu Dhabi-based airline's vice-president of marketing, said: "Every company around the world knows how crucial it is to achieve the right marketing strategy and develop a strong brand, and that is even more significant in the highly competitive airline industry.

"Therefore to win this award, for an airline as young as Etihad Airways, is a tremendous honour for us."

Airline Business editor Mark Pilling said Etihad had created "a strong brand with a high quality service in an extremely short time period".

The flag-carrying airline recently placed one of the largest aircraft orders in commercial aviation history, which included firm orders for ten Airbus A380 planes.

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