The managements of Etihad Airways and First City Monument Bank, have jointly agreed on a partnership that offer discounted, highly affordable and convenient travel packages to its patrons. The new package would also include flight tickets to existing and potential customers who fly on Etihad Airlines to any part of the world. NewsBitsng.com learnt that through this deal, customers of the bank who desire to travel abroad for personal or business purposes at a very affordable fares now stand the chance of doing so.
The General Manager, West and North Africa of Etihad Airways, Mr. George Mawadri, who made this disclosure to the media said; “It is a privilege to partner FCMB and we are indeed happy. Etihad is a young airline, though we have grown within the short period of time. We fly directly to 110 destinations and do other 140 destinations in our partnerships with other airlines. We have acquired 60 new airplanes-Airbus and Boeing 777. We pride ourselves as a 5 star airline and our customers can attest to our world-class facility and services. The good thing about our partnership with the Bank is that we have similar premium services with FCMB. I really appreciate the relationship and look forward to a long term benefit for the two parties.”
According to the agreement, the discounted fare comes with various benefits in the Bank’s financial products and services to enhance the travel experience of customers. These include Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) and Business Travel Allowance (BTA) services, complimentary platinum cards and priority pass, complimentary lounge access at departure in Lagos, among other benefits.
There is also the USA Immigrations clearance at Abu Dhabi for travelers going to the United States of America (USA) and a dedicated service for customers who intend to travel to the Holy land in Mecca for Hajji and Umrah. Responding on the partnership deal with Etihad Airways on the Executive Director, Retail Banking of FCMB, Mr. Olu Akanmu, said it is a value-added offering designed to deliver high quality of service and satisfaction for customers.
He said; ‘‘What FCMB has done with Etihad Airways gives advantage to our existing customers and prospects who may wish to open account with FCMB. We recognize several business travels our customers do. A good number of them may be preparing for summer holidays. Some of our customers will also want to fulfil their pilgrimage obligations in the coming weeks. Those traveling for medicals and even for academic purpose or seminars abroad can benefit. FCMB is partnering with Etihad to offer convenient and discounted travel fares to customers. This is one of the many reasons to open account with FCMB”.
Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) is a diversified global aviation and travel group comprising five business divisions – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways Engineering, Etihad Airport Services, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners. The group has minority investments in six airlines that include Airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways, and Virgin Australia.
From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to, or has announced plans to serve, more than 110 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. In 2013, it placed firm orders for 204 aircraft, which included 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s.