Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and CIRTA Electro Mechanical and Maintenance, a Khalifa Fund member, have signed an AED8 million agreement that will see CIRTA develop customized software for the airline’s cabin crew transport system.

The agreement was recently signed at the Etihad Airways Centre in Abu Dhabi by Robert Webb, Etihad Airways’ chief information and technology officer, and Abdulla Al-Shammari, CEO of CIRTA Electro Mechanical and Maintenance.

Webb said: “CIRTA’s software will be tailored to Etihad Airways’ unique specifications and will significantly improve the crew transportation routes for travel to Abu Dhabi airport. The automatic optimization system will analyze flight departure times for the crew, identify their locations in Abu Dhabi, schedule pick-up time and produce an optimized transportation route.”

He added: “This will increase the efficiency in the transport management system and decrease the number of buses needed. The system will deliver an ideal one-stop solution that will help reduce transportation costs, lower fuel usage, and lower CO2 emissions.”

Al-Shammari said: “This agreement opens the doors for CIRTA to enter the local market and support one of the leading companies in the region.”

Abdullah Al-Darmaki, CEO of Khalifa Fund, said: “By awarding contracts to Khalifa Fund members, Etihad Airways is supporting the growth of the UAE, improving standards of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), and encouraging competition in the market.

“Government and semi-government entities should follow this example and give SMEs support and encouragement to enable them to play their role in the development of the national economy,” he added.

Adil Al-Mulla, Etihad Airways’ VP procurement and supply management, said: “The workshop introduced Khalifa Fund entrepreneurs to our business, which will increase their opportunities to bid for further contracts with the airline.

“We are committed to supporting our community, including SMEs across the country.”