Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways
الإتحاد للطيران

File:Etihad Logo.jpg
IATA ICAO Callsign EY ETD ETIHAD
Founded	2003
Hubs	Abu Dhabi International Airport
Frequent-flyer program	Etihad Guest
Alliance	Arab Air Carriers Organization
Fleet size	41 (+111 orders) incl.cargo
Destinations	56 incl.cargo destinations
Headquarters	Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Key people	H.E. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Chairman), James Hogan (CEO)
Website	http://www.etihadairways.com

Established in 2003, Etihad Airways (Arabic: الإتحاد, ʼal-ʻitiħād) is the flag carrier airline of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Etihad is based in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Etihad is the Arabic abbreviation for الإمارات العربية المتحدة - United Arab Emirates. It operates services to the Middle East, Europe, Indian subcontinent, North America, Far East, Africa,Central Asia, and Oceania. Its main base is Abu Dhabi International Airport.

In 2008, it carried more than six million passengers, compared with 340,000 in its first full year of operations in 2004.

History

Etihad Airways Airbus A340-500 takes off from London Heathrow Airport

Etihad Airways Airbus A340-500 landing at London Heathrow Airport

Etihad Airways was established as the national airline of the United Arab Emirates in July 2003 by a royal 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 November 5, 2003, and on November 12, 2003, Etihad started commercial operations with the launch of services to Beirut. In the months that followed, almost one new route was added per month. In the same month, Etihad set up its subsidiary, Etihad Holidays.

In June 2004 the airline flew the first direct flight from the UAE to Geneva followed byBrussels and Toronto in October 2005.

In June 2004, the airline made a US$8-billion order for new aircraft in 2004, which included five Boeing 777-300ERs and 24 Airbus aircraft, including four A380-800s.

By June 2006, the airline had grown to 30 destinations in 30 months. The airline hopes to achieve a target of over 70 destinations by 2010.

In 2008 Etihad carried more than 6 million passengers, compared to 4.6 million in 2007, and flew to over 50 destinations.

Performance

The airline has not made a profit since its inception, but expects to break-even in 2010. Growth has never fallen below 40% a year. In its first 4 years, it doubled in size every 6 months, and has every year since.

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.

Operating Performance

Year	Traffic	Passenger seat kilometres	Fleet	Average age of fleet (months)	Passenger seat factor (%)	Destinations	Revenue	Staff
2006-2007	2,800,000	N/A	21	9	59.9%	37	N/A	5,524
2007-2008	4,600,000	N/A	37	14	69.0%	44	1,500,000,000	6,318
2008-2009	6,021,931	N/A	42	N/A	75.0%	50	n/a	7,350

Cargo

Boeing 777-300ER at Brisbane Airport, Australia.

Etihad Crystal Cargo is Etihad's cargo division, operating two A300-600F 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 and Boeing 777-F, will play a role in cargo expansion. Etihad has reached an agreement with World Airways to provide additional uplift.

Destinations

Main article: Etihad Airways destinations

As of March 2009 Etihad Airways serves 52 destinations and Etihad Crystal Cargo serves 10 destinations in 38 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania.

New destinations starting in 2009 (Updated 3 June)

Destination	Frequency (per week)	Aircraft	Commencing	Notes	References
Larnaca, Cyprus	3	A320-200	14 June
Chicago, USA	3	A340-500	2 September	7 (daily) from October

Codeshare agreements

Etihad has codeshare agreements with the following airlines (as of January 2009):

• Aer Arann
• Bangkok Airways
• BMI
• Brussels Airlines
• Iran Air
• Jet Airways
• Kuwait Airways
• Malaysia Airlines
• Middle East Airlines
• Philippine Airlines
• Qantas
• Royal Air Maroc
• Saudi Arabian Airlines
• Sri Lankan Airlines
• Yemenia

Fleet

Etihad Airways Fleet

Aircraft	In Service	Orders	Options	Purchase Rights	Passengers (Diamond/Pearl/Coral)	Haul	Entry Into Service
Airbus A319-100	2	–	–	–	104 (0/20/84)	Asia, Europe	In Service
Airbus A320-200	7	20	5	15	140 (0/20/120)	Africa, Asia, Europe	In Service
Airbus A330-200	16	–	–	–	262 (0/22/240) 200(10/26/164)	Africa, Asia, Europe	In Service
Airbus A330-300	–	5	–	–	TBA	Medium Long Haul	In Service
Airbus A340-500	4	–	–	–	240 (12/28/200)	Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania	In Service
Airbus A340-600	5	3	–	–	286 (12/30/244)	Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania	In service
Airbus A350-1000	–	25	10	15	TBA	Ultra Long Haul	2017
Airbus A380-800	–	10	5	5	TBA	Ultra Long Haul	2013
Boeing 777-300ER	5	10	10	5	378 (0/28/350)	Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania	In Service
Boeing 787-9	–	35	25	10	TBA	Long Haul	2014
Total	39	108	55	50

Etihad Crystal Cargo fleet

Aircraft	Total	Orders	Capacity
Airbus A300-600RF	1	–	97,000 lbs
Airbus A330-200F	–	3	152,100 lbs
McDonnell Douglas MD-11F	1	–	203,860 lbs
Total	2	3

Awards

Etihad Airways has received over 30 awards since its inauguration in 2003. It has a four star rating by Skytrax.

Incidents and accidents

F-WWCJ, 15 November 2007

• 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. The cause was the crew not following proper test procedures raising all four engines to maximum thrust while the wheels were un-chocked. The attempt to steer away from the wall resulted in decreased braking power. Five people were injured, there were no fatalities. The aircraft was written off.

Cabin

Diamond Zone

First Class is known as the Diamond Zone. The Diamond first class Suites feature seats that rotate 180 degress creating a setting for a business meeting or dinner 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 range of facilities, including 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 comes with pneumatic lumbar support, a six-way movement headrest and a built-in massage facility.

Each Diamond Suite features 23" personal LCD screens with 350hrs of entertainment with AVOD. Diamond Suites also feature Plug-and-Play feature to view own videos while the Audio player lets create own music play lists. Also there are power access, 2 USB Ports and an RCA Socket for Laptop power. Some aircraft have in-flight telephony.

The Diamond First Class Zone will be changed throughout the long-haul fleet with new suites and changed toilets. 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).

Pearl Zone

Etihad Airways Airbus A330-200 (A6-EYB) landing at London Heathrow Airport

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 eqiupped with individual lighting and a reading light. There is also a build-in massage facility.

Each Pearl Business seat features 15" personal LCD screens which offers 350hrs of entertainment with AVOD. They also have Plug-and-Play feature to let passengers view their own Videos while the Audio Player lets create their own music playlists.

Some aircraft also have in-flight telephony. each Pearl Business seat has power access, USB Ports and an RCA Socket for Laptop connection

Coral Zone

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 features 10.4" personal LCD screens and has 350hrs of entertainment with AVOD while the Audio player lets passengers create their own music playlists. Also featured are Laptop power outlets, USB Ports and RJ 45 sockets.

All three classes feature Mood Lighting on the Airbus A330-200, Airbus A340-500/600 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Airbus A330-200 taxiing for takeoff at Manchester Airport, England

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. They are upgrading the system to a new style called E-Box. Newer additions to the fleet, as well as some older planes, feature a Plug-And-Play system, which works on USB technology, that allow passengers to play their own audio, video and picture media. Some aircraft have in-flight telephony.

Etihad Guest

Etihad Guest is the airline's frequent flyer program, launched August 30, 2006. It features a discount web shop for loyalty program members.

Etihad is not part of any airline alliance, but has a partnership agreement with Brussels Airlines, Oman Air and Jet Airways.

Company data and management structure

Airbus A340-500

Airbus A350-1000

Etihad's passenger numbers reached more than 4 million in 2007. Etihad has 6,300 members of staff which includes around 3,000 cabin crew and 600 pilots.

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 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.

Etihad's logo on the rear wing of a Ferrari F1 car

• 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.
• In September 2007 Etihad announced that they had signed a three-year contract to serve as sponsor and official airline of the Chelsea F.C..
• On December 18, 2007 Etihad announced that they would become the title sponsor for the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to be held on Yas Island.
• On March 19, 2008 it was announced that Etihad Airways would become a main sponsor for the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship from 2008-10.

File:Etihad Stadium logo-01.JPG

Etihad Stadium Logo

• 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). The second largest facility outside the UAE.

Controversy

• On 27 April 2007 two Australian businessmen gained international notoriety after behaving badly aboard an Etihad flight to Abu Dhabi. The two mining executives were accused of being drunk, stripping naked and offering flight attendants money for sex. The pair were detained in an Abu Dhabi prison for six weeks, telling news reporters they were treated inhumanely and were forced to live off "fermented camel meat". The men were eventually convicted of sexual harassment, given suspended jail sentences, and deported from the United Arab Emirates. They were also fined 1,000 Dirhams for drinking alcohol aboard an Etihad flight without a liquor permit. The Australians later vowed to sue Etihad Airways. The men were later dropped from the board of directors of the mining company they represented.

External links

• Official website
• Passenger reviews