Etihad Airways may increase number of airline stakes to catch up with competition

Miranda Maxwell, Jane Wardell, and Richard Pullin, Reuters

- Aug 16, 2012 2:12 am

Skift Take

As the company’s CEO suggests, buying additional European stakes may be most the efficient way to scale quickly and stay on same playing field as airlines like Emirates and Qatar.

— Samantha Shankman

Etihad Airways Chief Executive James Hogan said on Wednesday the airline would consider adding one or two more strategic airline stakes.

“Maybe one or two more,” he told reporters, when asked about adding to the airline’s existing stakes in Virgin Australia (VAH.AX), Air Berlin (AB1.DE), Air Seychelles and Aer Lingus (AERL.I).

“Anywhere there are opportunities for scale and taking out costs,” he added.