ADQ, Etihad unveil plans to grow Abu Dhabi’s aviation ecosystem

Etihad Airways and ADQ have announced a proposed transaction that will support the ongoing transformation of Etihad Airways and the future growth of the civil aviation sector in Abu Dhabi.

Several Etihad firms that provide airline support services will become part of a new ADQ aviation company as part of the proposed merger.

Once the transaction is complete, the airline support services businesses will benefit from being part of ADQ’s broad mobility and logistics portfolio, including Abu Dhabi Airports and AD Ports Group.

Etihad Engineering, Etihad Airport Services Cargo, Etihad Airport Services Ground, Etihad Aviation Training, Etihad Secure Logistics, and Etihad Technical Training are among the companies involved in the proposed deal.

In addition, two Etihad enterprises will join Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company as part of the planned deal (ADNEC). Etihad Airport Services Catering will merge with ADNEC’s Capital Hospitality catering division, while Etihad Holidays will merge with Tourism 365, ADNEC’s tourism promotion firm.

Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, CEO of ADQ, said: “With the proposed addition of Etihad’s experienced aviation support businesses to our new dedicated aviation company, ADQ is primed to develop an integrated aviation platform that is driven by performance and a robust financial foundation through its new company.”

Tony Douglas, group CEO of Etihad Aviation Group, commented: “This agreement will allow us to place 100 per cent of our focus on Etihad Airways to capitalise on recovering travel demand and will benefit our staff, the millions of guests who fly with Etihad Airways every year, and Abu Dhabi’s wider aviation sector.

“We are working closely with ADQ to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. With a new, single-minded focus on our airline business, we will continue to deliver on the best-in-class and sustainable travel experience that our guests expect of Etihad Airways,” he added.

The businesses joining ADQ’s new aviation company and ADNEC will remain key long-term strategic partners to Etihad Airways.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Meanwhile last month, ADNEC announced that it has acquired Etihad Holidays to expand their footprint in the tourism space.

Tourism 365 – ADNEC’s tourism promotion business – will operate Etihad Holidays, scaling it from a locally-focused platform to a fully-fledged tour operator, supplying online and traditional travel agencies with Etihad network holiday packages from key source markets.

Read: Abu Dhabi’s ADNEC acquires Etihad Holidays