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Revision as of 18:14, 17 March 2012

Etihad Airways
الإتحاد للطيران
File:Etihad Airways logo.svg
IATA ICAO Callsign
EY ETD ETIHAD
Founded2003
HubsAbu Dhabi International Airport
Frequent-flyer programEtihad Guest
Fleet size66
Destinations82 passenger and cargo
HeadquartersAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates[1]
Key people
Websitewww.etihadairways.com

Etihad Airways (Arabic: الإتحاد, ʼal-ʻitiħād, meaning The Union) is the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates. Established by Royal decree in July 2003 and based in Abu Dhabi, Etihad commenced operations in November 2003.[2]

The airline operates more than 1,200 flights per week to over 82 destinations in nearly 52 countries, with a fleet of 66 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.[2] In 2010, Etihad carried 7.1 million passengers, a 13.1% increased compared with 2009.[3] Despite record revenues of nearly US$3,000 million in 2010, the airline has not yet been profitable.[3]

Etihad was awarded the World's Leading Airline in 2009[4] and 2010[5] by the World Travel Awards.

In addition to its core activity of passenger transportation, Etihad also operates Etihad Holidays and Etihad Crystal Cargo.[2] The airline is based at Abu Dhabi International Airport[6] and its head office is in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi.

History

Etihad Airways Airbus A340-500 taking off at London Heathrow Airport

Etihad Airways was established as the flag carrier 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 aircraft order for five Boeing 777-300ERs and 24 Airbus aircraft, including four A380-800s. The airline announced what was the largest aircraft order in commercial aviation history at the Farnborough Airshow in 2008, for up to 205 aircraft – 100 firm orders, 55 options and 50 purchase rights.

As of January 2012, the airline operates passenger and cargo services to 82 destinations around the world from its home base in Abu Dhabi.

In 2010, Etihad carried more than 7 million passengers, up from 4.6 million in 2007.

In 2010, seat load-factor was 74 per cent.

Corporate affairs

Head office

Head office

Etihad has its head office in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi,[7] near Abu Dhabi International Airport.[8] 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.[9]

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.

Other member of the BoD included: Mohammed Mubarak Fadel Al Mazrouei, Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi, Hamad Abdullah Al Shamsi and Khalifa Sultan Al Suwaidi[10]

Management team

The airline is led by James Hogan (formerly CEO of Gulf Air) who was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer on 10 September 2006.

Corporate sponsorship

Etihad's logo on the rear wing of a Ferrari F1 car
Etihad Stadium Logo for both in Manchester and Melbourne.
Etihad is the sponsor of the Manchester City F.C. and has an A330-200 adorned in Manchester City livery.
  • 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 (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, the F1 logo and the word "Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix" appeared on the aircraft for one month before the race.
  • 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. This was then extended until 2012.
  • 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 Barclays Premier League side Manchester City Football Club.[11] Part of the deal now includes the renaming of Manchester City's stadium to the 'Etihad Stadium'
  • Etihad also holds another aircraft line maintenance facility at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore (Pakistan), its second largest facility outside the UAE.[12][dead link]

Financial performance

The key trends for Etihad Airways since it started trading in November 2003 are shown below (as at year ending 31 December) [13] [14] [15]

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Turnover (AEDb) 5.6 9.1 8.4 10.9
Profits* n/a n/a n/a n/a
Number of employees 1,761 2,116 3,468 5,563 7,058 7,828 7,855
Number of passengers (m) <0.1 0.3 1.0 2.8 4.6 6.0 6.3 7.1
Passenger load factor (%) 70 75 74 74
Cargo carried (000s tonnes) 115 202 263
Number of aircraft (at year end) 6 12 22 37 42 52 57
  • *profit/loss figures do not appear to have ever been published; however the company has confirmed that it is not yet profitable.[3]

Etihad Airways posted a 39 percent jump in its third-quarter revenues in 2011 as the unlisted carrier grew its network and increased passenger numbers. Revenues rose to $1.1 billion in the quarter compared with $785 million in the same period last year. Seat factor increased 3.8 percent to 80.7 percent, the highest in any quarter since the airline began operations.[16][17]

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.

Despite record revenues of nearly US$3 billion in 2010, Etihad Airways has never been profitable.[3]

Awards and recognitions

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.

In 2010, Etihad Airways won the 'World's Best First Class' award by Skytrax at Hamburg. 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.

Cargo

File:Etihad Crystal Cargo Logo.png
Etihad Crystal Cargo was the launch customer for the Airbus A330-200 Freighter

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

Main article: Etihad Airways destinations

As of January 2012, Etihad serves 82 passenger and cargo destinations in 52 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Australia from its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Codeshare agreements

Etihad Airways has codeshare agreements with the following airlines (as of 19 December 2011):[18]
ST = Sky Team, SA = Star Alliance, OW = Oneworld

Etihad also codeshare with French Railways SNCF.[22]

Fleet

Etihad Airways Airbus A330-200 (A6-EYB) landing at London Heathrow Airport
An Airbus A340-600 seen at Sydney Airport in February 2009.

The Etihad Airways fleet consists of the following aircraft (as of 29 February 2012):[23][24][25]

Aircraft Total Orders Options Passengers Notes
F B E Total
Airbus A319-100 2 — — — 20 90 110
Airbus A320-200 14 20 18 — 16 120 136
— 20 120 140
— — 164 164
Airbus A330-200 16 — — — 22 240 262
Airbus A330-300 6 — — 8 32 191 231
Airbus A340-500 4 — — 12 28 200 240 Phase out to Conviasa
Airbus A340-600 7 — — 12 32 248 292
Airbus A350-1000 — 19 25 TBA Delivery: 2017[26]
Airbus A380-800 — 10 5 TBA Delivery 2014[27]
Boeing 777-300ER 10 8 12 — 28 384 412
Boeing 787-9 — 41 25 TBA Delivery: 2014[28]
Etihad Crystal Cargo Fleet
Aircraft Total Orders Options Cargo Capacity Notes
Airbus A300-600RF 2 — — 97,000 lbs
Airbus A330-200F 2 2 — 152,100 lbs
Boeing 777F 1 2 — 225,000 lbs
McDonnell Douglas MD-11F 2 — — 203,860 lbs
Total 66 102 85

Etihad Crystal Cargo was the launch customer of the Airbus A330-200F, and received the first aircraft on 20 July 2010 during the Farnborough Airshow.[29]

In January 2012, Etihad canceled six orders for the Airbus A350-1000, becoming the first airline to cancel some of its orders for the particular aircraft after Airbus had redesigned the A350-1000 in 2011. The airline now has 19 aircraft on order, having previously had 25 on order.[30]

Services

Cabin

Diamond Zone

First class is known as Diamond First Class. In August 2009, Etihad introduced its new First Class Suite, featuring a luxurious Poltrona Frau leather seat that converts to a fully flat bed, a large wood-finished table, Arabic-styled sliding doors offering complete privacy, a 23-inch personal entertainment screen, a personal wardrobe with mirror, personal minibar, and four individual lighting options with dimmers, in-seat power points and USBs. The First Class cabin also includes a spacious and comfortable changing room with a leather fold down seat and full length illuminated mirror. Etihad’s Diamond First Class was awarded ‘World’s Best First Class’ in the Skytrax awards for two years running, as voted for by more than 18 million passengers worldwide. From March, 2012, all Diamond First Class passengers on Etihad will have access to an on board chef and a food service called the Mezoon Grille. The chef will help passengers select their meals and accompanying drinks. The chef will then create your meal on board, allowing passengers to make changes to the dish on the menu to suit their own personal taste. Passenger are also welcome to ask for something off menu.[31]

Pearl Zone

Etihad Pearl Zone

Business class is known as Pearl Business Class. Etihad’s Pearl Business Class, featuring a seat that converts to a fully flat bed, won the World’s Best Business Class award in 2009, as voted for in the Skytrax annual poll. New advanced Business Class seats are now being introduced, which are longer and wider, all with direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 configuration. The seats include larger meal and cocktail tables, luxurious leather headrests, armrests and ottomans upholstered by Poltrona Frau, ambient lighting with dimmer settings, more in-seat storage space and a state-of-the-art Panasonic eX2 inflight entertainment system with a 15.4 inch personal screen.

Coral Zone

Etihad Coral Zone

Economy class is known as the Coral Economy Class. Etihad has rolled out a new service style in Economy Class. An extension of the Inspired Service philosophy already embedded in its First and Business Class cabins, the new service delivers greater levels of personal attention, touches of luxury and greater choice and flexibility. The Inspired Service in Economy Class includes hot desserts on select flights, an offering unique to Etihad, and a hot and cold café service with a wide range of hot beverages from cappuccino to green tea.

This new Economy cabin offers a new interior design. Seats are ergonomically designed for comfort, with a 32 inch pitch, footrest and a deep recline. Each seat is also equipped with a handheld controller, USB port and power sockets underneath the 10.4 inch personal entertainment screen. A large pillow is provided. Small touches on the seat such as coat hooks and cup holders make the space more individual.

In-flight entertainment

Etihad uses both the Panasonic eX2 and the Thales TopSeries i5000[citation needed] 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 A330s, Airbus A340s and Boeing 777-300ER all have in-flight telephone facility.

A PTV aboard an Etihad Airways aircraft, part of the in-flight entertainment system

Etihad has signed a new 10 year agreement with Panasonic Avionics Corporation for the provision of in-flight entertainment which will include broadband internet and live-tv.[32]

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:

Etihad has released information on a new partnership deal with Virgin Australia and V Australia. All Virgin 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 frequent flyer benefits.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Airline Membership". IATA. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
  2. ^ a b c "Etihad Airways in Brief" (PDF). Etihad Airways. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d "Etihad Airways' focus on break-even for 2011, profit in 2012". CAPA Centre for Aviation. 21 January 2011. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  4. ^ "World's Leading Airline 2009". World Travel Awards. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  5. ^ "World's Leading Airline 2010". World Travel Awards. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  6. ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 2007-04-03. p. 78.
  7. ^ "Our offices." Etihad Airways. Retrieved on 11 February 2010. "Office Address: P.O.Box 35566, Head Office, Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates "
  8. ^ "Etihad Airways plans to enter hospitality sector." Tehran Times. Monday 17 August 2009. Retrieved on 11 February 2010.
  9. ^ "Airline to Shift to New Headquarters by 2008." Gulf News at Zawya. 17 April 2007. Retrieved on 11 February 2010.
  10. ^ http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/Etihad/Etihad%20Images/Resources/Business-review-2010-en.pdf
  11. ^ "Etihad Airways to sponsor Manchester City". Manchester City F.C. 2009-05-24. Retrieved May 25, 2009. [dead link]
  12. ^ Etihad Airways opens dedicated aircraft line maintenance facility in Lahore Pakistan
  13. ^ "Business Review 2010" (PDF). Etihad Airways. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  14. ^ "Corporate Facts and Figures September 2009" (PDF). Etihad Airways. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  15. ^ "Etihad Airways reports traffic results for 2008". AllBusiness. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  16. ^ [1]
  17. ^ [2]
  18. ^ "Our partner airlines". Etihad Airways. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  19. ^ http://www.khaleejtimes.com/biz/inside.asp?xfile=/data/business/2012/January/business_January522.xml&section=business&col=
  20. ^ http://www.arabianbusiness.com/etihad-signs-first-codeshare-deal-as-it-eyes-china-growth-435502.html
  21. ^ http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093490055&src=RSS
  22. ^ Etihad signs codesharing deal with French railway
  23. ^ Our Fleet
  24. ^ "Corporate Fact and figures" (PDF). Etihad Airways. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
  25. ^ "Fleet Information – Crystal Cargo". Etihad Airways. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  26. ^ Alex Delmar-Morgan (17 January 2012). "Etihad Airways Reduces Orders For Airbus A350-1000". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  27. ^ Samia Badih (8 March 2011). "Engine Alliance to power Etihad A380 fleet". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  28. ^ Cathy Buyck (13 December 2011). "Etihad increases 787 orders to 41". Air Transport World. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  29. ^ "A well-timed delivery of the first A330-200F freighter" (Press release). Airbus. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
  30. ^ Kaminski-Morrow, David (17 January 2012). "Etihad becomes first to cancel A350-1000s". Flightglobal. Retrieved 18 January 2012.
  31. ^ "Etihad Mezoon Grille – a real restaurant onboard your next flight". EFTM. 9 January 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ http://www.arabianbusiness.com/etihad-set-launch-live-tv-on-long-haul-flights-430563.html
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