Established in 2003, Etihad Airways (Arabic: الإتحاد , ʼal-ʻitiħād ) is the flag carrier airline of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Etihad has its head office in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi.
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 2009, it carried more than seven million passengers, compared with 340,000 in its first full year of operations in 2004.
History
Etihad Airways was established as the national airline of the United Arab Emirates in February 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 5 November 2003. On 12 November 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 by Brussels and Toronto in October 2005.
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.
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
As of 2009 the airline has not made a profit since it was founded, 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.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has taken the top award at this year’s World Travel Awards (WTA)
Cargo
Etihad Crystal Cargo is Etihad's cargo division, operating two A300-600F cargo aircraft and one MD-11 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.
Etihad Crystal Cargo Is also currently operating A300F chartered from ACT Airlines between Abu Dhabi-Sialkot and A300F/DC8 from DHL Express between Dubai-Kabul-Sialkot.
Destinations
Main article: Etihad Airways destinationsAs of September 2009 Etihad Airways serves 58 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.
Codeshare agreements
Etihad Airways has codeshare agreements with the following airlines (as of February 2010) :
Fleet
The entire fleet as of January 29, 2010:
Cabin
Diamond Zone
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 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
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 has a 15" personal LCD screen. Aircraft also have in-flight telephony.
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 has a 10.6" personal LCD screen. The Coral Zone also includes In-flight Telephony.
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. 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, Airbus A340-500, Airbus A340-600 and Boeing 777-300ER have in-flight telephony.
Etihad Guest
Etihad Guest is the airline's frequent flyer program, launched August 30, 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 Qantas, Brussels Airlines, Oman Air and Jet Airways.
Company data and management structure
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. 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.
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 T
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