Chief executive of Etihad Airways James Hogan has delivered a robust assessment of his airline's performance, as well as that of the Gulf region at the European Aviation club in Brussels.
The audience at the forum included senior representatives from all sectors of European aviation including airlines, governments, manufacturers and journalists.
During his speech Hogan discussed the growth of the aviation industry in the Middle East, as well as the region's enormous diversity and potential.
He also spoke of opportunities the Middle East presented for global business and leisure, as well as the aviation sector in particular.
”The Arabian Gulf airlines play a central role in attracting the growing numbers of business and leisure travellers who visit the region every year.” said Hogan.
He added, ”Etihad has grown at an incredible speed and with a real sense of purpose since it was formed in 2003. No commercial airline in the history of aviation has ever achieved that rate of growth. Now we are looking for further, measured growth in the future, as well as the development of our brand into the best in the world.”