Bangkok--20 Nov--Total Quality PR Etihad Airways, The National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, which operates highly popular twice daily flights from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi and onwards to 45 destinations around the globe, is targeting the growing student and youth travel market in an exciting new tie—up with one of the UK’s leading travel agencies. The agreement with STA Travel, the world’s largest global travel company specialising in travel for students and young people, extends Etihad’s global network of 45 destinations to a market segment so far largely untapped by the Abu Dhabi-based airline. Through a new reciprocal ticketing agreement, Etihad Airways now has access to the STA Travel customer base in markets beyond the airline’s current international network, such as Russia, South America and Scandinavia, which allows the airline to build further its presence in markets it does not currently serve. Geert Boven, Etihad Airways’ executive vice president sales and services, said: “STA Travel has an outstanding reputation for quality and service amongst a market segment which Etihad is eager to harness. “We are particularly focused on building our long-haul leisure business and our partnership with STA Travel is crucial to that ambition. STA Travel sends more than 2.5 million British travellers around the globe every year and we are thrilled to be able to now offer them access to our expanding global network of 45 destinations.” The new partnership will see the Etihad Airways’ sales office in Bangkok work closely with the local STA Travel retail office to develop new business opportunities across the region. John McCoach, global air product manager, STA Travel said: “We are delighted with our strategic alliance with Etihad Airways, an airline of outstanding reputation for quality and customer service. “A large percentage of student travel in the UK is purchased by parents so we place great emphasis on giving our customers a service they can trust and rely upon. Etihad Airways reflects the values of STA Travel and our drive for excellence and we look forward to working with the airline’s team in Bangkok to develop further our relationship.” For more information as well as pictures, please contact: Tom Van Blarcom / Ruthaiwan Tanwongwan Total Quality PR (Thailand) Co., Ltd Tel. 02 260 5820 Fax 02 260 5847 — 8 E-mail : [email protected]