Etihad celebrates 10 years with family fun day for employees

More than 20,000 people turned out at Yas Island to mark major milestone for UAE's national carrier.

Hayagreev, 3, and seven-year-old Priyadarshini enjoy a ride on a carousel at Etihad Airways' 10th anniversary celebrations. Lee Hoagland / The National

ABU DHABI // Jugglers, a singing robot, live performances and an X Factor-style competition hosted by show judge Dannii Minogue were all part of Etihad Airways’ birthday party today.

The day-long celebration was a thank you to the company’s employees for their decade of hard work.

More than 20,000 people came together as the UAE’s national airline marked the milestone by throwing a huge family fun day in the sun at Yas Marina Circuit for staff members and their families.

“Etihad Airways this week celebrates 10 years of successful operations and the staff celebration day is a fantastic moment for the workforce to come together as one multicultural team to celebrate the airline’s achievements,” said Ray Gammell, Etihad’s chief people and performance officer.

“In any business the people are the strongest asset and that is no different at Etihad Airways, which now has a workforce of nearly 16,500 people from nearly 140 nationalities.

“Day in, day out, our people make a fantastic contribution to the airline and Abu Dhabi.”

Mr Gammell, who has been with the airline for almost five years, said while there were 16,500 employees, there was an additional 40,000 in their extended family.

“That is more than 56,000 people literally part of the airline and depending on the airline,” he said.

Abdul Qader, vice president of international affairs for the airline, was one of the first four employees at Etihad and was in charge of receiving the airline’s first plane – an Airbus A330. He recalled the airline’s inaugural international flight on November 12, 2003, to Beirut.

“That day we had 60 passengers,” he said. “Last year, the airline broke its 10 million-passenger target.”

Mr Qader said this achievement was something that would never have been possible without the support and dedication of the airline staff.

“They have helped us succeed,” the Emirati said. “Today is about thanking them for that support.”

The celebration day had several motorsport activities for staff to enjoy including the F1 Pit Crew experience, hot laps on the Yas Marina Circuit track, and an F1 Game Zone.

For younger children there was an appearance by Titan the Robot as well as bouncy castles, juggling acts, face painting and children’s rides.

Chefs entertained guests with a series of barbecue cooking demonstrations and competitions throughout the day.

Rachel Lobo, 23, whose father Agneb works as a technical engineer for the airline, was among those who relaxed at Etihad’s Six Senses Spa and chill-out area.

“It was a lot of fun,” she said. “My friend almost fell asleep.”

A live stage featured a variety of acts that kept parents and children entertained, including a DJ, African drummers and live singers.

The highlight of the day was the final of the Etihad Airways E Factor talent competition, hosted by the Australian performer and X Factor television show judge, Dannii Minogue.

Six acts battled it out to win the top prize, with the winning act walking away with 10 business-class tickets, to be used in the next 10 years.

Delnaaz Panthanki works in the cabin-crew department at Etihad and was among those who attended the event.

The 33-year-old Indian described the family fun day as “amazing”.

“It is a brilliant way to celebrate 10 years,” said Ms Panthanki, who brought her husband and two children to the event. “In aviation terms we are still in baby years but this is a big event to celebrate what we have achieved so far.”

Ross Brown, head of visual communications at the airline, helped pull together the birthday bash.

“This is probably the most important thing we have done in terms of valuing the 16,500 people who work for us,” the 62-year-old said.

Emma Haynes attended the event with her two young boys Luke, 3, and Jo, 5, as well as her husband Gary, who has been employed as an engineer at the airline for 11 months.

“It has been a brilliant day,” the English expatriate said.

Ms Haynes said she and her sons had enjoyed changing a wheel on a Formula One car.