According to Etihad Airways, it is the first airline in the world to achieve 100% vaccination against COVID-19 among its operating pilots and cabin crew.
“We proactively made the vaccine available to all our employees to not only help combat the effects of COVID-19 but to make travelers feel confident and reassured the next time they fly with us,” said Tony Douglas, group chief executive officer of Etihad Aviation Group. “We are the only airline in the world to make COVID-19 testing mandatory for every passenger and crew member before every flight and now, we’re the first airline in the world with 100% vaccinated crew on board."
I feel more at ease knowing that I am vaccinated and, in my role as cabin crew, I know that it will be important for global air travel. I also feel that I can better reassure guests who may be anxious or nervous about flying during COVID-19.
In January, Etihad launched its ‘Protected Together’ employee vaccination initiative, which built on the United Arab Emirates’ Choose to Vaccinate campaign. According to Etihad, the Protected Together initiative includes virtual conversations that connect staff with leading medical professionals and mobile clinics so employees can receive the vaccine at work.
The airline worked collaboratively with health authorities to offer access for its frontline staff to the UAE’s Emergency Use Program and Abu Dhabi’s vaccination program. The airline also worked to make the Etihad Airways Medical Centre an accredited COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
Etihad prioritized getting its employees vaccinated.
Credit: 2021 Etihad AirwaysAccording to Dr. Nadia Bastaki, vice president of medical services and CSR for Etihad Aviation Group, this step was crucial in making the vaccine easily accessible for staff.
"Since December 2020, we have been offering in-house vaccination appointments to our employees and their loved ones to ensure we are focused on our employees’ wellbeing,” she said.
While 100% of cabin crew and pilots are vaccinated, more than 75% of the airline’s entire workforce has already received one dose of the vaccine. Currently, the UAE has the second-highest vaccination rate in the world.
"I chose to vaccinate because it felt like the right thing to do, both personally and professionally,” said Amy Lewis, a member of Etihad’s cabin crew. “I feel more at ease knowing that I am vaccinated and, in my role as cabin crew, I know that it will be important for global air travel. I also feel that I can better reassure guests who may be anxious or nervous about flying during COVID-19.”
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