Etihad Airways (Arabic ???? ??????? ??????? sharikat alitti??d li??ayar?n) is a flag carrier and the second-largest airline of the United Arab Emirates (after Emirates). Its head office is in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, near Abu Dhabi International Airport. Etihad commenced operations in November 2003.
The airline operates more than 1,000 flights per week to over 120 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas, with a fleet of 116 Airbus and Boeing aircraft as of February 2018. In 2015, Etihad carried 14.8 million passengers, a 22.3% increase from the previous year, delivering revenues of US$9.02 billion and net profits of US$103 million. Its main base is Abu Dhabi International Airport.
In addition to its core activity of passenger transportation, Etihad also operates Etihad Holidays and Etihad Cargo. Etihad established its own airline alliance, Etihad Airways Partners, in 2015, that includes Jet Airways, Air Serbia and Air Seychelles. Etihad Airways holds minority equity investments in the participating airlines; as well as holding a stake in Virgin Australia, which is not officially listed as an Etihad Airways Partner. Booking for these airlines is consolidated under one network.
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History
Etihad Airways was established as the second flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates in July 2003 by Royal (Amiri) Decree issued by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who wanted an airline for Abu Dhabi. Darwish Alkhoory, the chief personal pilot for Sheikh Zayed, established the airline. 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. Prior to the establishment of Etihad, Gulf Air was the airline which was based at Abu Dhabi International Airport and was also co-owned by Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman.
In June 2004, the airline placed an US$8-billion aircraft order for five Boeing 777-300ERs and 24 Airbus aircraft, including four Airbus A380s. Its first A380 was delivered in December 2014.
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.
Etihad reported its first full-year net profit in 2011, of US$14 million, in line with the strategic plan announced by CEO James Hogan in 2006.
In December 2011, Etihad announced it had taken a 29.21% stake in Air Berlin, Europe's sixth-largest airline, and James Hogan was appointed Vice Chairman. It followed this up with minority stakes in other airlines--Air Seychelles (40%), Aer Lingus (2.987%), Virgin Australia (10%). On 1 August 2013, the President of the company, James Hogan, signed a deal with Aleksandar Vu?i?, First Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, in Belgrade, giving Etihad a 49% stake in the Serbian national carrier Jat Airways. The Serbian Government retained 51% of the shares, with the new company being named Air Serbia.
In September 2012, the Indian government announced that foreign airlines could take a stake of up to 49% in Indian carriers. On 24 April 2013, Jet Airways announced that it was ready to sell a 24% stake in the airline to Etihad for US$379 million. The deal was completed on 12 November 2013.
At the 2013 Dubai Airshow, Etihad announced that it was acquiring a 33.3% stake in the Swiss carrier Darwin Airline. Darwin was rebranded as Etihad Regional from March 2014. Etihad sold Darwin in 2017.
On 1 August 2014, Etihad agreed to take a 49% stake in the Italian flag carrier Alitalia for an estimated EUR560 million. The deal was closed on 8 August 2014. On 1 January 2015, Alitalia-CAI formally passed its operations to Alitalia-SAI, a new entity owned 49% by Etihad and 51% by the Alitalia-CAI shareholders.
In May 2016, the management structure was reshuffled, as James Hogan became CEO of the airline's parent company, Etihad Aviation Group. Peter Baumgartner, formerly the airline's Chief Commercial Officer, became Chief Executive Officer of the airline, reporting to Hogan.
In May 2017, a week after Alitalia collapsed into administration, Etihad Aviation Group suddenly announced that CEO James Hogan and CFO James Rigney would leave the group on 1 July 2017. As an interim measure the board of directors appointed Ray Gammell as CEO (previously Chief People and Performance Officer) while searching for a permanent replacement. On January 9, 2018, Etihad Airways appointed Mark Powers as Group CFO, replacing interim Group CFO Ricky Thirion.
On 2 July 2017, the United States Department of Homeland Security unbanned Etihad Airways and exempted Etihad Airways from the 2017 electronics ban after the airline enhanced its passenger screening processes.
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Corporate affairs
Head office
Etihad has its head office, in Khalifa City, 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.
Structure
Etihad is governed by a board of directors chaired by Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, 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 members of the board include: Mohammed Mubarak Fadel Al Mazrouei, Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi, Hamad Abdullah Al Shamsi, Khalifa Sultan Al Suwaidi and George Cheaib.
The airline was led by James Hogan (formerly CEO of Gulf Air) who was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer on 10 September 2006.
Etihad Airways partners
Etihad's equity alliance is composed of airlines in which Etihad has minority shareholdings:
Business trends
The key trends for Etihad Airways since it started trading in November 2003 are shown below (as at years ending 31 December):
Profits* - earlier profit/loss figures do not appear to have ever been published; the company announced, however, that it became profitable as from 2011.
Corporate sponsorship
Event and organisations
- On 18 December 2007 Etihad announced that it would become the title sponsor for the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to be held on Yas Island, the F1 logo and the words "Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix" appeared on the aircraft for one month before the race.
- In October 2008, it was announced that Etihad would take over sponsorship of the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne, Australia (previously known as the Telstra Dome). The name change to Etihad Stadium took effect on 1 March 2009.
- On 19 March 2008 it was announced that Etihad Airways would become a main sponsor for the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship from 2008 to 2010, which was later extended until 2012. On 12 April 2012, the Gaelic Athletic Association signed a new five-year sponsorship deal with Etihad.
- On 25 March 2014, Etihad announced a partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States to become the Official Airline Partner of MLS, in a multi-year deal.
Current team sponsorship deals
Former
- Etihad was 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.
Cargo
Etihad Cargo, formerly Etihad Crystal Cargo, operates five Boeing B777Fs. Etihad Cargo has previously operated a Boeing 747-8F and Boeing 747-400F, both leased from Atlas Air but operated in full Etihad Cargo colours.
Etihad Cargo delivered 368,000 tonnes of cargo in 2012, a tonnage growth of 19 per cent on the back of a capacity increase of 14 per cent in available tonnage kilometres. Etihad's new facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport will be equipped to handle more than 500,000 tonnes annually.
The carrier refreshed its brand image in June 2012 dropping the "Crystal" part, with full Etihad Cargo title now applied billboard style.
In January 2017, Etihad announced to retire and either sell or lease out its five relatively new Airbus A330-200F freighters due to a change in strategy and reduction of freight capacity.
Destinations
As of July 2017, Etihad serves 116 passenger and cargo destinations across Africa, Europe, North America, Asia and Australia from its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Until terminating the São Paulo service in late March 2017, Etihad Airways was one of the few carriers to have passenger services to all six inhabited continents.
Etihad Airways codeshares with the following airlines:
Additionally, Etihad Airways has a codeshare partnership with French Railways SNCF.
Fleet
Etihad Airways consists an all wide body of Airbus A320 family, Airbus A330, Airbus A380, Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. As of May 2018 the Etihad Airways fleet consists of the following aircraft:
- ^1 The First-class accommodation on the A380 includes 'The Residence By Etihad', a three-room cabin that can seat up to two passengers; and nine First Apartments, each seating one passenger.
Historical Fleet
Etihad Airways operated the following aircraft in the past:
Services
Old cabins (until December 2014)
Prior to the introduction of new aircraft types, Etihad had three cabins: Diamond First Class, Pearl Business Class and Coral Economy Class.
- Diamond First Class
Etihad's existing First Class cabin, labelled "Diamond First Class", features a flat, 6 ft 8 inch bed, in its own private suite. The suites include a personal mini-bar and wardrobe, in-built massage and a 23-inch widescreen television. There is a changing room on board, and passengers also have their own personal chef.
- Pearl Business Class
There are two Business Class cabins - one that operates on widebody aircraft, and one that operates on narrowbody aircraft. Business Class on widebody aircraft offers a 6 ft 1 inch full flat bed, with finest dining and a 15-inch widescreen television. There is also an in-built massage included. On narrowbody aircraft, they have a seat with 49 inches of pitch.
- Coral Economy Class
Economy Class on all aircraft offers a cradle recline and 32 to 34 inch seat pitch. All seats have 10.4 inch entertainment screens offering 675 hours of films and games.
New cabins (from December 2014)
With the introduction of the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9, new cabins were introduced, their names being: The Residence (A380 only), the First Apartments (A380 only), First Suite (787), Business Studio and Economy Smart seat. The rest of the fleet will gradually be retrofitted with these cabins except for the Residence and First Apartment cabins, which are exclusive to the Airbus A380. The Residence was the only three-room cabin in the sky when it was introduced in December 2014.
- The Residence (Airbus A380 only)
The Residence accommodates one or two people, in a space of 125 square feet (11.6 m2). It features a private living room, bedroom, and bathroom. It features a 60.6-inch (154 cm)-wide two-seater reclining sofa and 32-inch (81 cm) TV monitor in the lounge; an ensuite bathroom with shower, an 82-inch (210 cm)-long, 47.5-inch (121 cm)-wide double bed in the bedroom which also includes a 27-inch (69 cm) TV monitor, and a personal butler. The airline claims it is the most luxurious living space in the air.
- First Apartment (Airbus A380 only)
First Class on Airbus A380s was overhauled with the "First Apartments". There are nine in total, configured 1-1 across a single aisle, and take up a total area of 39 square feet (3.6 m2) each. It features a 30.3-inch (77 cm)-wide reclining chair; a full-length ottoman which can be transformed into a bed; a 24-inch (61 cm) TV monitor which can swing to align itself to the ottoman so that it can be viewed from the bed; a vanity cabinet; and a bar with assorted chilled drinks. In 2015, this class was named the world's best first class due to its luxurious innovation.
- First Suite (Boeing 787-9 only)
Boeing 787-9s feature eight First Suites to accommodate the narrower aircraft. The service includes a 26-inch (66 cm)-wide reclining lounge chair (which converts into an 80.5-inch (204 cm) fully flat bed); dining table; and a 24-inch (61 cm) TV monitor. All covers are tailored by Poltrona Frau. There is a personal wardrobe, along with total privacy with high sliding doors.
- Business Studio
The "Business Studio" is on both models, with 70 seats on the Airbus A380s, and 28 on the Boeing 787-9s. The studio seats include a 22-inch (56 cm)-wide reclining chair, which converts into a fully flat bed, and an 18-inch (46 cm) TV monitor. All have leather covers tailored by Poltrona Frau.
- Economy Smart Seat
Economy Smart seats feature a 17-inch (43 cm)-wide seat on the Boeing 787 and 19-inch (48 cm)-wide seat on the Airbus A380, with a 31-to-33-inch (79 to 84 cm) pitch and 6-inch (15 cm) recline. There is also an 11-inch (28 cm) touch screen fitted with Etihad's entertainment system. A fixed wing is in place to allow passengers to rest upon.
In-flight entertainment
Etihad uses both the Panasonic eX2 and 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 brands 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, Boeing 777-200LR and Boeing 777-300ER all have in-flight telephone facility.
Etihad signed a new 10-year agreement with Panasonic Avionics Corporation in 2011 for the provision of in-flight entertainment including broadband internet and live TV.
Atlas is the official in-flight magazine of the airline [2]
Loyalty program
Etihad Guest is the airline's frequent flyer program, launched on August 30, 2006. It offers a discount web shop for members.
Etihad is not part of any airline alliance, but has partnership agreements with:
Accidents and incidents
Etihad Airways has not suffered any fatal accidents or injuries during passenger operations.
- 15 November 2007 - A new A340-600, registration A6-EHG, due for delivery to Etihad Airways was damaged beyond repair during ground testing at Airbus' facilities at Toulouse Blagnac International Airport in France. During a pre-delivery engine test, multiple safety systems had been disabled by engineers, leading to the non-chocked aircraft accelerating to 31 knots (57 km/h) and colliding with a concrete blast deflection wall. Severe damage was inflicted on the aircraft and nine people on board were injured, four of them seriously. The right wing, tail, and left engines made contact with the ground or wall, leaving the forward section of the aircraft elevated several meters and the cockpit broken off.
- July 2017 - A flight from Australia was targeted by terrorists in Sydney. They were going to bring down a plane bound for AUH. Police in Australia received a tip off and swiftly moved in to arrest the suspects.
See also
- List of airlines of the United Arab Emirates
- List of airports in the United Arab Emirates
References
External links
Media related to Etihad Airways at Wikimedia Commons
- Etihad Airways official website
- Etihad Airways Fleet and Routes
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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