ETIHAD Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced the official opening of its dedicated Revenue Accounting Center of Excellence in Al Ain. The center, known as Global Business Service Solutions (GBSS), aims to become a pioneer in revenue accounting whilst creating long-term economic value for Al Ain and the emirate of Abu Dhabi. By leveraging the Emirati workforce and in particular women, who make up more than 95% of its employees, the centre is committed to supporting the development of Al Ain as a thriving regional business hub. GBSS offers a range of competitively priced services and today provides Etihad Airways and its partner airlines Air Serbia, Etihad Regional and Air Seychelles, with access to industry best practices and the latest airline developments to optimise results and redirect valuable internal resources. In addition, other partner airlines will also be supported in the coming months. [caption id="attachment_43980" align="alignnone" width="640"] Amna Al Blooshi, GBSS Operations Manager, addresses guests at the official opening of the centre in Al Ain. [/caption] James Hogan, Etihad Airways' president and chief executive officer, and the airline's senior management toured the facility in Al Ain. "Revenue accounting is a critically important yet expensive and time consuming aspect of the global airline business. However, through the establishment of a world-class center of excellence, Etihad Airways and our partners can now achieve further financial and operational success. "This center is also aligned with a long-term commitment to grow our Emirati workforce. It is Etihad Airways' most ambitious Emiratisation initiative and builds on the success of existing programs for cadet pilots, engineers and graduate managers, together with our Al Ain Center," Hogan said. More than 300 Emiratis were hired during the first year of operation and more will be recruited as the centre grows. The centre places a strong focus on empowering women in Al Ain by providing a wide range of training and development opportunities in a number of specialized areas. GBSS is committed to equipping its female employees with the skills they need to continue to play an integral role in the economic diversification of Al Ain. [caption id="attachment_43979" align="alignnone" width="640"] (left to right) Etihad Airways' Vice President – Financial Reporting, Shelley Cole; Chief Financial Officer, James Rigney; President and CEO, James Hogan; Chief People and Performance Officer, Ray Gammell and Vice President Emiratization Strategy, Ali Al Shamsi take part in the ribbon cutting ceremony.[/caption] Saada Al Taei, Senior Manager Service Delivery at Global Business Service Solutions, said: "Al Ain and GBSS know the economic potential of women and are committed to helping women of all ages embark on long and rewarding careers. The energy, resourcefulness and the wide range of skills that our female employees possess in abundance are absolutely critical to our continued success." Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2015 carried 17.4 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to or has announced plans to serve 116 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 120 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 204 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional. Etihad Airways, along with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a brand that brings together partner airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits.
