Etihad to implement SAP software to run vital business operations

Source: Etihad.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has chosen SAP as a strategic software technology partner to the Etihad Aviation Group.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways James Hogan, and Bill McDermott, CEO and member of the Executive Board of SAP, said that the partnership was key to helping Etihad Airways sustain and support its growth, while further modernising and scaling up the airline's business functions.

Hogan said Etihad Airways had experienced strong and sustained growth in its 11 year history. "This strategic partnership with SAP means we can implement the best business technology to grow with confidence and continue to provide outstanding service to our customers. This is about preparing our business for tomorrow," he said.

"SAP is proud to support a world-class operation like Etihad Airways," said McDermott. "Few industries deal with as much sophistication and complexity as the airline industry. By selecting SAP, Etihad Airways will be able to simplify its core business processes and increase efficiency, flexibility and effectiveness across the organisation with a focus on the customer. James Hogan and the Etihad Airways management team have a bold vision for aviation and innovation. This partnership with SAP demonstrates a commitment to innovation in technology."

The airline plans to deploy the enterprise resource planning application SAP ERP together with a range of cloud-based products across its vital business functions, including human resources, finance, procurement and supply management and business intelligence. These include talent management solutions from SuccessFactors, an SAP company, procurement and business-to-business collaboration from Ariba, an SAP company, and the SAP HANA platform for real-time business databases and applications.

"As part of this commitment to technology innovation Etihad Airways is establishing technology Centres of Excellence in the UAE, Europe and India, bringing world-class solutions and services to the Etihad Aviation Group," said Hogan.

"Today's announcement shows SAP's commitment to Etihad Airways and the UAE in our shared goal of connecting east and west via Abu Dhabi's rapidly growing aviation hub," said McDermott. "We continue to invest in Abu Dhabi's future and will leverage our training and development institute by building Emirati talent and skills to further support Abu Dhabi and its strategic growth."

Based in Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways counts more than 20,000 employees and serves 111 existing or announced destinations in 63 countries. Last year the airline posted record numbers in passengers of 11.5 million; cargo volumes of 486,752 tonnes; and total revenues of US$6.1 billion.