The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, in partnership with the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, hosted Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Dallas Mayor Michael S. Rawlings, and Etihad Airways President & CEO James Hogan for lunch on Friday to celebrate the launch of non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The luncheon discussion was moderated by U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright and featured welcome remarks by U.A.E. Consul General in Los Angeles His Excellency Abdulla Alsaboosi. Consul General Alsaboosi was joined at the event by senior stakeholders from the DFW Area and broader U.S.-U.A.E. business community.
Photo credit: Etihad Airways
President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, James Hogan, said: “I am very pleased to be in Dallas/Fort Worth today, to celebrate the new route between Dallas Fort/Worth and Abu Dhabi.
As the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways is proud to connect these two cities and support the strengthening of an already important business and cultural relationship.”
Following introductory remarks by Sebright and officials from the Dallas Regional Chamber and World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, Consul General Alsaboosi took the stand to emphasize the importance of Etihad Airways’ entry into the DFW market. In doing so, Alsaboosi highlighted the U.A.E.’s efforts to build relationships with established industry-leading companies and world-renown institutions operating in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Alsaboosi stressed that the launch of each new non-stop route between the U.A.E. and U.S. encompasses every pillar of the overall relationship between the two countries – from diplomatic to economic to social.
“Nothing better symbolizes the shared economic benefits of the U.A.E.-U.S. relationship than aviation. When combined, U.A.E. airlines buy more Boeing commercial airplanes than any other country other than the U.S. Last year in Texas, the U.A.E. accounted for $160 million of the state’s total exports of aerospace parts,” said U.A.E. Consul General Abdulla Alsaboosi. “This new Etihad flight between Dallas/Fort Worth and Abu Dhabi underscores these deepening economic ties.”
Mayor Price and Mayor Rawlings echoed Consul General Alsaboosi’s sentiments about the socioeconomic potential delivered with each new link between communities and officially welcomed Etihad Airways to Dallas/Fort Worth. In her comments, Mayor Price pointed to the global reach of the city’s business community and the significance of increased ties with the U.A.E. She went on to highlight existing partnerships between American and Emirati institutions and businesses while underscoring DFW’s eagerness to create more opportunities for collaboration.
“We are delighted to help welcome Etihad Airways to the North Texas business family. Fort Worth is home to a number of businesses, large and small, that enjoy diverse international relationships,” said Mayor Price. “The U.A.E. in particular has been an invaluable partner for Fort Worth businesses and we look forward to strengthening our partnership with this latest tie between our communities.”
During his remarks, Mayor Rawlings cited the recent gifting of a world-class soccer field to the Dallas community to underscore how U.A.E.-DFW ties extend beyond business. He noted that several Dallas-based companies operate in the U.A.E. and expressed the city’s interest in building upon commercial ties with a key market in the Middle East North Africa region.
“Dallas welcomes the new Etihad Airways nonstop service from Abu Dhabi to DFW with open arms,” said Mayor Rawlings. “The United Arab Emirates is a close partner to our city, with strong relationships transcending business and policy to deliver economic and social impact throughout our community.”
After a short video presentation about Etihad, Hogan took the podium to deliver his keynote address. During his speech, Hogan highlighted the role commercial aviation plays in strengthening U.S.-U.A.E. trade and community relations, with a special focus on Texas. He pointed to the international significance of DFW’s extensive and diverse economy and the U.A.E.’s keenness to match talent with ingenuity. Hogan concluded by ensuring the audience of government officials and business executives that the U.S. remains a key element of Etihad Airways’ growth strategy, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to creating American and Emirati jobs.
“The U.S. is the largest aviation market in the world and we are committed to bringing choice with unparalleled service to travelers, while at the same time investing in the expertise of U.S. businesses,” Mr Hogan said. “Etihad Airways operates between Abu Dhabi and six destinations in the U.S. with 45 passenger flights per week. The services from the U.S. into Abu Dhabi connect with flights across the strategically important and growing Gulf Cooperation Council region, Middle East, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent, supporting trade and tourism.
Over the past 10 years, the airline has been ordering Boeing aircraft with American-made GE engines and working with other U.S. suppliers. Together this is supporting more than 200,000 American jobs. Our commitment to the U.S. is strong and our vision long term. We are here to stay and play a pivotal role in growing the aviation sector,” Mr Hogan said.
Sebright wrapped the program with a question and answer session, extending an invitation to the audience to engage speakers directly. Topics covered during the Q&A included: Etihad Airways’ expansion plans in the U.S., the economic impact of increased DFW-U.A.E. commercial partnerships, challenges and opportunities for doing business in the U.A.E., and the role of the energy sector in the U.S.-U.A.E. commercial aviation relationship. Sebright concluded the luncheon by thanking honored speakers and the business community for joining the discussion.
“The relationship between the U.A.E. and the Dallas/Fort Worth area spans decades and sectors with the spirit of partnership at its core,” said Sebright. “This month’s launch of Etihad Airways’ direct flights to DFW is the next logical step toward enhanced engagement between two global communities.”
“Etihad’s new direct routes between DFW Airport and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates will help the Dallas-area connect to another important area of the world,” said Dale Petroskey, President and CEO of the Dallas Regional Chamber. “This development helps ensure everyone in our region, including our dynamic business community, has access to even better international air service, promoting business connections and tourism, and leading to greater economic prosperity for our region. We are excited to welcome them to DFW.”
“Beyond business and tourism, Etihad’s commitment to the North Texas market creates opportunities for greater understanding between one of the most progressive Arab countries and the United States. Our universities and cultural institutions such as the Dallas Museum of Art, which will soon have one of the world’s most important collections of Islamic art, are now even better positioned to know one another and build lasting cultural and educational exchanges,” said Jim Falk, President & CEO, World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth.
On Friday evening, Etihad Airways will host a gala reception to celebrate the launch of AUH-DFW non-stop flights on December 3rd featuring a roster of prominent community leaders and a special musical guest. Please visit www.etihad.com for more information.
—
About Etihad Airways:
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates made its first commercial flight in November 2003.
Since then, the Abu Dhabi-based airline has grown faster than any other in commercial aviation history, offering its award-winning services to 110 destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.
Etihad Airways operates a young and environmentally-efficient fleet of 105 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and has more than 210 aircraft on firm order.
The airline’s network today reflects a combination of organic growth, growth through codeshare partnerships, and strategic minority investments, together creating a virtual network of more than 420 destinations.
Etihad Airways currently has 47 codeshare partnerships and equity stakes in six airlines: Virgin Australia – 21.24 per cent, airberlin – 29.2 per cent, Air Seychelles – 40 per cent, Aer Lingus – 4.99 per cent, Jet Airways – 24 per cent, Air Serbia – 49 per cent. The airline is in the process of formalising its equity investments in Swiss-based Etihad Regional and Alitalia.*
More than 20,000 employees from more than 140 nationalities offer the highest standards of service and comfort both on the ground and in the air. Customers can enjoy world-class cuisine, flat-beds and suites in its premium cabins and the widest seats in economy, as well as inflight wi-fi connectivity and more than 750 hours of on-demand in-flight entertainment.
International sports sponsorship plays a central role in Etihad Airways’ global brand strategy, as it seeks to develop its profile in markets across the world. The airline has signed several major international sponsorship deals, including agreements with Manchester City Football Club, the All Irish Hurling Championships, the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and Major League Soccer.
Etihad Airways has been named the World’s Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards for five consecutive years.
Etihad Airways operates flights between New York (JFK), Washington D.C. (IAD), Chicago (ORD), and from November 2014 will fly from San Francisco (SFO) and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW). U.S. flights are direct to Abu Dhabi with connections to destinations across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
*Operated by Darwin Airline
For more information, visit: http://www.etihad.com/en-us/.
About the Dallas Regional Chamber:
The Dallas Regional Chamber is the area’s leading membership-driven business organization committed to promoting economic prosperity by leading economic development, driving improvements in public education, influencing public policy, and catalyzing and advocating for regional partnerships. The Chamber works to ensure the Dallas region will become the most economically prosperous region – and the most desirable place to live and work – in the United States. The Chamber is a not-for-profit organization comprised of businesses, which represent all facets of the Dallas region’s business community.
For more information, visit: www.dallaschamber.org.
About the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth:
Founded in 1951, the nonprofit, nonpartisan World Affairs Council offers the public and its almost 3,500 members opportunities to learn firsthand from world leaders, policymakers, ambassadors, journalists and world affairs experts. It presents over 100 programs annually to enlighten and entertain North Texas. In addition to impacting more than 100,000 students each year through its International Education Program, the Council coordinates visits to North Texas of delegations and leaders from around the globe through the administration of its International Visitor Program and the City of Dallas Office of Protocol.
The mission of the World Affairs Council is to promote international awareness, understanding and connections through its multifaceted programs. The Council works to enhance the region’s global stature and to prepare North Texans to thrive in our complex world.
For more information, visit: www.dfwworld.org.
About the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council:
The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council is a progressive business advocacy organization solely committed to the advancement of the trade and commercial relationship between the United States and the United Arab Emirates. The Business Council actively works to ensure that the U.S. and U.A.E. remain attractive destinations for foreign direct investment by conducting effective policy advocacy, undertaking various trade promotion initiatives, providing ongoing updates on the business climate in both countries, and helping develop strategic relationships between U.S. and U.A.E. business and government officials.
For more information, visit: www.usuaebusiness.org.
