‘We welcome competition’

You have been in the market for slightly over a year. Can you give us an insight of how business has been for you on the Entebbe – Abu Dhabi route?
Etihad Airways operates an Airbus A320 aircraft from Entebbe to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, four times a week. We have received a very good response from the market since we launched the service in May 2015.
However, the outbound routes from Uganda are becoming increasingly competitive due to a number of new carriers entering the market. We welcome competition because it enables us to differentiate ourselves from the other carriers through the quality of our services and products on board and on the ground.

You came in Uganda at a time when many other airlines were signing up operations here which meant stiff competition. How have you managed to retain and grow your business performance?
We have focused our efforts on building close working relationships with our corporate and travel trade partners here in Uganda. Thankfully, they have been very supportive of our business from the outset and I hope this will continue in future.
While we also have to ensure that our pricing is competitive, what enables us to really stand out above the competition is focus on our guests – ensuring they are provided with a world-class travel experience every time they fly with Etihad Airways. With a global network flying to more than 100 cities worldwide, we are able to provide them with a tremendous choice of destinations.

Which are some of those unique things travelers can lookout for in Etihad Airways?
We have customised our offering to suit guests’ needs based on valuable market insights from our research and development teams. When flying with Etihad Airways between Entebbe and Abu Dhabi, our guests will be provided with innovative products regardless of which class they choose to travel. This is supported by a commitment from our cabin crew and ground staff to offer a first class service.

For example, on Etihad Airways’ long-haul routes from Abu Dhabi, our guests can experience award-winning premium products and services aboard our growing fleet of Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 aircraft. This includes the First Apartment which offers a complete living space with a reclining lounge chair and an ottoman which opens up to become a separate 80.5 inch long fully-flat bed. In our A380 aircraft, guests can experience ‘The Residence,’ a luxurious private three-room suite in the sky which offers the same levels of comfort that can be found in some of the world’s leading hotels and restaurants, with private shower, allowing them to relax, dine and sleep in the ultimate of settings.
One tremendous advantage for travelers connecting to the United States is the US Pre-clearance service in Abu Dhabi. This service, provided by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at Terminal 3 at Abu Dhabi International Airport, is in a purpose-built facility that allows US-bound passengers to process all immigration, customs and agriculture inspections in Abu Dhabi before they depart. Once Etihad Airways guests arrive in the US, they are able to enter the country without being subjected to further checks.

What do you regard as the key operating challenges in Africa today?
Africa is the world’s second fastest growing region for international air traffic. But more efforts and collaboration are needed by governments and partners to ensure safety standards are enhanced, operating efficiencies are realised and that there are more trained people joining the workforce across the continent.
Once these are realised, the significant, positive impact that aviation can have on growing trade and tourism industries in African economies will be evident.

Share with us your expansion plans in Uganda, the East Africa region and Africa?
At Etihad Airways, we recognise the importance of Africa and have been expanding our network on the continent by operating directly to new destinations and working with partner airlines.
We operate regular services to Nairobi and Dar es Salaam in East Africa which, combined with Johannesburg, Khartoum, Casablanca, Rabat, Lagos, Cairo and Mahé in the Seychelles, brings the number of destinations we fly to in Africa and the Indian Ocean region to 10.

Additionally, we have extended our network to more than 30 destinations across the continent through our codeshare partnerships with Royal Air Maroc, Kenya Airways, South African Airways and our equity partner Air Seychelles.

There are considerations to revive Uganda Airlines, the national carrier. What are your thoughts on this?
If the Ugandan Government goes ahead with this, we would welcome it. Competition drives up standards, which benefits the consumer. It provides them with greater choice, products and services at great value.

PERFORMANCE
Mr Toyin Alaran, Etihad Airway’s general manager, Uganda
Profit. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, recorded a net profit of $103 million (Shs349 billion) on total revenues of $9.02 billion (Shs30.5 trillion) in 2015.