Etihad Airways have announced an expansion of its Indian operations after obtaining the the approval of an 24 percent equity investment in Jet Airways.

Etihad Airways plan to make Abu Dhabi as a hub connecting passengers and freight with flights to and from India.

With the planned US Customs Border Clearance Gate in Abu Dhabi, US-bound passengers will clear immigration and customs at Abu Dhabi Airport.

The first stage of the Etihad Airways strategy covers additional flights and the introduction of larger aircraft on current routes to India. 

The flight service increase by Etihad Airways are:

• Mumbai and New Delhi:  7 to 14 flights per week (immediate)
• Kochi: 7 to 14 flights per week (June 2014)
• Bangalore and Chennai: 7 to 14 flights per week (July 2014) 
• Hyderabad: 7 to 14 flights per week (October 2014)

On the Abu Dhabi-Mumbai and Abu Dhabi – New Delhi routes, evening flights with narrow-bodied Airbus A320 aircraft have been upgraded to wide-bodied Airbus A340 and A330 aircraft. On the Mumbai services, this includes introduction of first class cabins on the evening A340 flights. 

an Airbus A321 aircraft, seating 174 passengers, will be operated on all Abu Dhabi-Chennai services, and between Abu Dhabi and Kochi from June 2014.

Subject to regulatory approvals in a number of countries, Etihad Airways and Jet Airways plan to codeshare between Abu Dhabi, India and other markets in the Middle East, North America and Europe.

Etihad Airways plan to codeshare on flights by Jet Airways’ between India and the U.S., via the Abu Dhabi hub, subject to regulatory approval.

James Hogan, president and chief executive officer of Etihad Airways, said: “India is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing air travel markets, and will play an increasingly important role in our growth.

“Through our purchase of 24 percent of Jet Airways – the first foreign investment permitted in an Indian airline – we have laid the foundations for major and exciting growth in air services between Abu Dhabi and India, and beyond throughout our global network.

“Subject to receiving regulatory approvals, we will continue to expand our Abu Dhabi – India operations and work with our growing stable of partners to accommodate strong growth and deliver much greater choice for travel to and from India."

“In addition to joint activities which increase revenue, the relationships we have with our equity partners enable us to reduce costs and increase efficiencies through activities such as resource sharing, knowledge transfer and joint procurement.”

Etihad Airways has invested in airberlin (29 percent), Air Seychelles (40 percent), Virgin Australia (19.9 percent) and Aer Lingus (3 percent).

Etihad Airways also is awaiting regulatory approval to acquire 33.3 percent of Swiss regional carrier Darwin Airline and in January 2014 will activate a 49 percent investment in Air Serbia.

Etihad Airways and Jet Airways have been discussing other areas of cooperation, covering integration of their loyalty programs, shared airport facilities and offices, training of pilots and flight attendants and deployment of joint sales forces in markets served by both carriers.