Etihad says strategy of buying stakes in European airlines aids competition

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways yesterday said its strategy of buying stakes in European airlines was bringing fresh competition to the region, despite close scrutiny by regulators over whether its investments comply with European ownership rules.

State-owned Etihad is building up a network of minority stakes in airlines around the world as it seeks to drive traffic to its Abu Dhabi hub.

“We are bringing competition in the market. Some legacy carriers are using the European Commission to challenge us rather than challenge us through competition,” said chief executive, James Hogan.