Etihad Airways has unveiled a green corporate rewards programme designed to help businesses to cut carbon emissions and operate more sustainably.
Called Corporate Conscious Choices, it follows the launch in December of a green loyalty programme for travellers called Conscious Choices.
Unveiling the corporate programme, Martin Drew, global sales and cargo senior vice president, said the airline had seen business travel improve in November and December 2021.
Leisure and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) traffic was bouncing back quickly, he added, and Omicron seems to be a “temporary blip”.
After talking to corporate partners about business travel trends, he said the airline expects to return to 60-65% of 2019 levels this year.
The Corporate Conscious Choices programme provides benefits that enable companies to invest in SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) and carbon offsets.
Companies in the programme can also opt to have a “green surcharge” added to each corporate travel flight ticket, which is then invested in offset schemes, such as SAF, mangrove planting, re-forestation or community projects in Africa.
Furthermore, when business travellers fly on Etihad and earn Etihad Guest Miles, the airline will award Corporate Conscious Miles to their organisation as well.
Corporate Conscious Points can also be used to offset corporate travel, everyday activities or purchase sustainable products from the Etihad Guest Reward Shop.
Drew said the Corporate Conscious Choices programme had been developed in partnership with corporates and had “resonated” with them.
Launch partners include business travel management company CWT and professional services multinational Accenture.
Patrick Andersen, chief commercial officer at CWT, said: “Seeking more environmentally responsible travel solutions is a continuing focus, and our initial offsetting partnership with Etihad is the latest in our range of such groundbreaking initiatives.”
Pictured signing up for the programme is Patrick Andersen, chief commercial officer at CWT (right), with Tony Douglas, group chief executive at Etihad Aviation Group.
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