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| Founded | 2003 | |||
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| Hubs | Abu Dhabi International Airport | |||
| Frequent-flyer program | Etihad Guest | |||
| Member lounge | Etihad Premium Lounge | |||
| Alliance | Arabesk Airline Alliance | |||
| Fleet size | 57 (+103 orders) | |||
| Destinations | 65 incl.cargo destinations | |||
| Company slogan | From Abu Dhabi to the World | |||
| Headquarters |  Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |||
| Key people |
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| Website | www.etihadairways.com | |||
Etihad Airways (Arabic: الإتحاد, ʼal-ʻitiħād) is the flag carrier airline of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Etihad means "union" in Arabic, the name deriving from the Arabic for United Arab Emirates (الإمارات العربية المتحدة). Established in 2003, Etihad commenced operation on November later that year.
The airline operates close to 147 daily flights to 64 destinations in 42 countries, via a fleet of 57 aircraft. Its operation is heavily centered in Europe and Asia, as well as Oceania, Africa and North America. Its main base is Abu Dhabi International Airport, with its head office in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi.
Apart from its core activity, passenger transportation, Etihad also earns revenue from its cargo operations and ancillary revenue. The airline has a cargo division called Etihad Crystal Cargo. In 2009, it carried more than seven million passengers, compared with 340,000 in its first full year of operations in 2004. Its revenue totalled US$2.3 billion.
History
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| Etihad Airways Airbus A340-500 taking off at London Heathrow Airport |
Etihad Airways was established as the national airline of the United Arab Emirates in July 2003 by Royal (Amiri) Decree issued by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It started with an initial paid-up capital of AED500 million. Services were launched with a ceremonial flight to Al Ain on 5 November 2003. On 12 November 2003, Etihad commenced commercial operations with the launch of services to Beirut, and has gone on to become the fastest growing airline in the history of commercial aviation.
In June 2004, the airline made an US$8-billion order for new aircraft in 2004, which included five Boeing 777-300ERs and 24 Airbus aircraft, including four A380-800s. The airline announced the largest aircraft order in commercial aviation history at Farnborough International Air show in 2008, for up to 205 aircraft – 100 firm orders, 55 options and 50 purchase rights.
As of July 2010, the airline operates services to 64 destinations around the world from its home base in Abu Dhabi.
In 2008 Etihad carried more than 6 million passengers, up from 4.6 million in 2007.
In 2009, seat factor was 74%, holding steady on the 2008 level.
Company affairs and identity
Etihad head office in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi
In the financial year 2008, Etihad carried 6 million passengers and 330,000 tonnes of cargo. Etihad has 6,300 members of staff which includes around 3,000 cabin crew and 600 pilots.
Head office
Etihad has its head office in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, near Abu Dhabi International Airport.[6] Etihad spent 183.6 million UAE dirhams ($50 million USD) in 2007 to arrange to have its new head office and training center built. The new head office was scheduled to be finished by the end of 2007.
Structure
Board of directors
Etihad is governed by a board of directors chaired by HH Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan being the vice chairman and operates in terms of its founding legislation and the Article of Association of the Company. The Board consists of seven independent non-executive members and has two sub-committees, being an Executive Committee and an Audit Committee, each with its own charter and chairman.
Management team
The airline is led by James Hogan (formerly CEO of Gulf Air) who was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in October 2006.
Corporate sponsorship
Etihad's logo on the rear wing of a Ferrari F1 car
Etihad Stadium Logo
Etihad is a sponsor of UAE sports clubs, including the Abu Dhabi Rugby Union Football Club, the Abu Dhabi International Sailing School and the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC), as well as the Al-Jazira Club.
For the 2007 season, Etihad was one of the title sponsors for the Etihad Aldar Spyker F1 Team. Because the team was purchased by the chairman of another airline (Vijay Mallya, of Kingfisher Airlines), Etihad switched to Scuderia Ferrari from 2008 onwards.
On July 30, 2007 it was announced that Etihad Airways would become the main sponsor of Harlequins rugby club and Harlequins Rugby League club (UK). The sponsorship also includes renaming the East Stand at the Twickenham Stoop Stadium (the home of Harlequins) to the Etihad Stand. Etihad's logo is painted on the roof of the stand which is under the flight path to London Heathrow Airport.
On 18 December 2007 Etihad announced that they would become the title sponsor for the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to be held on Yas Island.
On 19 March 2008 it was announced that Etihad Airways would become a main sponsor for the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship from 2008–10.
In October 2008, it was announced that Etihad would take over sponsorship of the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne (previously known as the Telstra Dome). The name change to Etihad Stadium took effect on March 1, 2009.
In May 2009, it was also announced that Etihad would be the official sponsor of Manchester City Football Club.
Etihad also holds another aircraft line maintenance facility at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore (Pakistan), its second largest facility outside the UAE.
Financial performance
Etihad Airbus A330-200 taxiing to the runway at Frankfurt Airport
Etihad has never posted a profit since it began operations in 2004. Etihad Airways won’t break even in 2010 after its yields were hit by the global economic crisis and swine flu. The company lost more than $30m in revenue in April 2010 when a cloud of ash from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano forced the cancellation of flights to and from Europe.
In the financial year 2008 Etihad carried 6 million passengers and 330,000 tonnes of cargo. International Air Transport Association (IATA) statistics indicate that in 2007 Etihad ranked among the top-ten airlines in the world in terms of growth since its inception in 2003.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, took the top award – World's Leading Airline – at the World Travel Awards (WTA) in 2009.
In June 2010, Etihad's chief executive predicted that the airline would break even in 2011.
Cargo
Etihad Crystal Cargo is Etihad's cargo division, operating two A330-200F, two A300-600F and two MD-11F cargo aircraft . It started operations in September 2004.
Etihad Crystal Cargo is expected to double its turnover of AED361.50 million (US$98.5 million) in 2005 to over AED734 million (US$200 million) in 2006. Crystal handled 115,000 tonnes of cargo in 2005, about 50 per cent of the cargo uplifted from Abu Dhabi International Airport. Etihad’s new facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport will be equipped to handle more than 500,000 tonnes annually. New aircraft, particularly the Airbus A330-200F will play a role in cargo expansion. Etihad has reached an agreement with World Airways to provide additional uplift.
Destinations
Etihad Airways destinations
As of July 2010 Etihad serves 64 destinations and Etihad Crystal Cargo serves 14 destinations (including 6 destinations served by Etihad Airways also) in 42 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania from its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
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Fleet
Airbus A330-200F Freighter
The Etihad Airways fleet consists of the following aircraft (as of 11 November 2010):
| Aircraft | Total | Orders/ Options | Passengers | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | J | Y | Total | |||
| Airbus A319-100 | 2 | — | 0 | 20 | 90 | 110 |
| Airbus A320-200 | 13 | 20/20 | 0 0 0 | 16 20 0 | 120 120 164 | 136 140 164 |
| Airbus A330-200 | 16 | — | 0 12 10 | 22 24 26 | 240 180 164 | 262 216 200 |
| Airbus A330-300 | 3 | 3/— | 12 | 40 | 151 | 203 |
| Airbus A340-500 | 4 | — | 12 | 28 | 200 | 240 |
| Airbus A340-600 | 7 | — | 12 | 32 | 248 | 292 |
| Airbus A350-1000 | 0 | 25/25 | TBD | |||
| Airbus A380-800 | 0 | 10/10 | TBD | |||
| Boeing 777-300ER | 6 | 9/14 | 0 | 28 | 384 | 412 |
| Boeing 787-9 | 0 | 35/35 | TBD | |||
| Etihad Crystal Cargo Fleet | ||||||
| Airbus A300-600RF | 2 | — | 97,000 lbs | |||
| Airbus A330-200F | 2 | — | 152,100 lbs | |||
| Boeing 777F | 0 | 1/— | 225,000 lbs | |||
| McDonnell Douglas MD-11F | 2 | — | 203,860 lbs | |||
| Total | 57 | 103/104 | ||||
Etihad Crystal Cargo is the launch customer of the Airbus A330-200F, and received the first aircraft on 20 July 2010 during the Farnborough Airshow.
Services
Cabin
Diamond Zone
Etihad Airways Airbus A330-200 (A6-EYB) landing at London Heathrow Airport
First class is known as the Diamond Zone. The Diamond First Class Suites have seats that rotate 180 degrees and recline into 6'8" flat beds. Each Diamond Suite has a privacy shell that ensures maximum privacy and direct access to the aisles; within this space there are a coatroom, a mini-bar, a fold-and-swivel meal table, an integrated personal mirror, a magazine rack, a reading light and a desk lamp. Each Diamond seat has pneumatic lumbar support, a six-way movement headrest and a built-in massage facility. Each Diamond Suite has a 23" personal LCD. The Diamond First Class Zone will be changed throughout the long-haul fleet with new suites and changed toilets.
Pearl Zone
Business class is known as the Pearl Zone. The Pearl Business Class seats recline to 180 degrees into a fully flat 6'1" business bed. It has an 88" pitch and direct access to the aisle for plenty space and privacy. Each self-contained seat is equipped with individual lighting and a reading light. The Pearl Business seats each has a 15" personal LCD screen. Aircraft also have in-flight telephone. There is also a built-in massage facility.[citation needed]The Pearl Business Class will have adjustments to its seats (wider armrests, bigger TV screens, closing up the TV to the seat, and bigger dining tables).
Coral Zone
A PTV aboard an Etihad Airways aircraft, part of the in-flight entertainment system
Economy class is known as the Coral Zone. The Coral Economy Class seats feature lumbar support, headrests and foot rests and up to 33 inch seat pitch. Each Coral Economy seat has a 10.7" personal LCD screen. The Coral Zone also includes in-flight telephone.
In-flight entertainment
Etihad uses the Thales TopSeries i5000 in-flight entertainment system with AVOD (audio-video on demand) system on its new long-range aircraft and on some of its new A320-200 aircraft. Etihad brand this system as the 'E-box'. International destination fleets have a Plug-And-Play system which works on USB technology, that allow passengers to play their own audio, video and picture media. The Airbus A330-200, A340-500, A340-600 and Boeing 777-300ER all have in-flight telephone facility.
Loyalty programme
Etihad Guest is the airline's frequent flyer program, launched on 30 August 2006. It offers a discount web shop for loyalty program members.
Etihad is not part of any airline alliance, but has a partnership agreement with:
Alitalia SA
All Nippon Airways (SA)
Bangkok Airways
Brussels Airlines (SA)
Jet Airways
Oman Air
Pacific Blue
SriLankan Airlines
Ukraine International Airlines
V Australia
Virgin Blue
Etihad has released information on a new partnership deal with Virgin Blue and V Australia and would begin direct flights to Abu Dhabi from Sydney. All Virgin Blue services will be available to Etihad customers, opening up 44 destinations in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and to Asia and Los Angeles. The airlines will share their frquent flyer benefits
Awards
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Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2010)
Being the world's fastest growing airline, Etihad Airways has received over 30 awards since its inauguration in 2003. It has a 4-star rating by Skytrax. Etihad also has a 5-star rating for its First and Business Classes. It has won the World Travel Awards (WTA) designation for having the best Business Class in the world in 2009.
In November, 2009 Etihad Airways won the "World's Leading Airline" award at the World Travel Awards in London. This award is the first for any Middle Eastern airline and also a record in the commercial aviation history to be recognised as the world's leading airline in such short period of time since its establishment.
In 2010, Etihad Airways won the 'World's Best First Class' award by Skytrax at Hamburgh. Etihad also received awards for 'Best First Class catering' and 'Best First Class Seat' as well. The same year Etihad Airways was awarded the title of “World’s Leading Airline” for a second consecutive year at the World Travel Awards (WTA) in London. Etihad’s success in London caps a great year for the airline as it had won six titles at the WTA ceremony for the Middle East in May, including the coveted title as the region’s Leading Airline.
Incidents and accidents
F-WWCJ, 15 November 2007
Etihad Airways has had no fatal accidents and no major accidents in revenue service.
On 15 November 2007 an Airbus A340-600 due to be delivered to Etihad ran into a concrete blast fence during an engine test at the Airbus factory at Toulouse Blagnac International Airport, France. This was due to the crew not following proper test procedures, raising all four engines to maximum thrust while the wheels were unchocked. The attempt to steer away from the wall resulted in decreased braking power. Five people were injured and the aircraft was written off.
(source:wikipedia)
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