Etihad Group to support 108,000 jobs

Abu Dhabi-headquartered Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) and its equity partner airlines will support 108,000 jobs across the United States in 2016 and make a $10.7 billion (Dh39.27 billion) contribution to the national economy this year, demonstrating a significant impact in one of the world's largest economies, according to a leading global consultancy.

The group operates to six gateway cities across the US. Its economic contribution includes capital spending with US-based suppliers that supports tens of thousands of domestic jobs.

In 2016, Etihad’s core economic contribution to the US economy will be $3.8 billion (Dh14 billion) in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), supporting 30,300 jobs. This consists of the US impact from EAG's global operations and its capital spending with US-based suppliers, largely due to Etihad Airways' capital investment in new aircraft, cabin interiors and IT infrastructure. This employment translates to domestic spending, delivering $2.9 billion to the country's GDP.

In addition, spending by the 280,000 international visitors carried into the US on Etihad Airways' flights during 2016 will also leave a considerable economic footprint. This is estimated to contribute $1.9 billion in GDP, supporting around 22,400 American jobs.

The US economy is further boosted by the impact of the operations and services of EAG's equity partner airlines.

Together, they will deliver $1.6 billion to the GDP, with a further $3.4 billion tourism contribution. In turn, they will support 13,700 jobs through their core operation, with a further 41,100 jobs supported through the tourism industry.

The economic impact of EAG and its equity partner airlines goes far beyond core and tourism contributions. By connecting people and businesses across the world, Etihad Airways and its partners facilitate a wide range of economic activity in both the US and global economy. This 'knock-on' catalytic effect will boost US productivity by $1.1 billion in 2016 by enabling business interaction, facilitating foreign investment, and encouraging tourism and trade.

EAG includes Etihad Airways, Etihad Airways Engineering, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners. The group owns minority investments in seven airlines: airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional.

Its network includes twice-daily flights to New York (JFK); daily to Chicago O'Hare, Washington Dulles, Los Angeles and San Francisco; and thrice-weekly to Dallas Fort-Worth.

In 2016, Etihad Airways will operate over 4,700 flights to and from the United States and carry around 1.2 million passengers.

Over the next few years, the figures are set to rise sharply as Etihad Airways and its partner airlines expand capacity worldwide. According to Oxford Economics, the UK-based research organisation which conducted the research and produced the report, EAG and its partners' core and tourism economic contribution to the US will reach $18.2 billion by 2024 and support 171,400 jobs in the economy.

James Hogan, Etihad Aviation Group President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "The US is one of the world's leading economies and Etihad Airways, together with its partners within EAG have made great strides to stimulate air travel to and from the United States, have created vital air corridors connecting global markets, and have become a key contributor to the US economy.

"Many jobs across the supply chain in hotels, ground transport companies, freight forwarders, catering, manufacturing, and throughout the tourism industry, all benefit from the presence of Etihad Aviation Group, with suppliers in these sectors creating tremendous employment opportunities for Americans."

Hogan added: "As Etihad Airways expands its US operations, and the importance of Abu Dhabi as a global hub grows, so will our impact on the US economy, in particular the employment landscape with the huge number of jobs supported across the country, both directly and indirectly. The figures from the report clearly show the catalytic incremental effect that the Etihad Aviation Group will have in the job market and on the US economy in the years to come."