DUBAI, 5 February 2006 — The rapidly growing challenger in the Middle East airline operators - Etihad Airways — took delivery of the first of five newBoeing 777-300 ER aircraft on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi. It is the first time that Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline, has taken delivery of its own aircraft, and represents a significant milestone for the fast-growing Abu Dhabi-based airline.
Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. It was established in July 2003 by decree of the UAE government. The airline is capitalized at 500 million dirhams, made up of 500 million shares of 1 dirham each — all owned by the Abu Dhabi government. Operations began on Nov. 5, 2003 and it has expanded very rapidly since then, winning “Best New Airline” awards two years running.
The extended range (ER) aircraft landed at Abu Dhabi International Airport after flying from Boeing’s airport in Everett, Washington State, USA after a 15-hour non stop flight.
At the reception ceremony, Robert Strodel, CEO, Etihad Airways said that the arrival of the company’s fully owned aircraft was a defining moment in Etihad’s history.
“The aircraft has been designed to Etihad specifications, and will provide our guests with higher standards of hospitality and service across our expanding international network,” he said.
Several senior Etihad and Boeing executives were on board Etihad’s first twin-aisle aircraft including Sheikh Ahmad ibn Saif Al-Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi Civil Aviation and Etihad Airways, as well as Lee Monson, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of sales for the Middle East and Africa.
In the fiercely competitive airline market, Etihad has had the new aircraft designed to their own specification aiming at giving them the leading edge. New features include new cabin architecture and the ability to use high-speed Internet in flight for browsing or e-mails, a very attractive feature to the premium business traveler market.
Etihad made history as a new carrier by placing an order worth $8 billion for new aircraft within the first two years of operation. As well as five Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, Etihad has also ordered 24 Airbus aircraft — four A340-500s, four A340-600s, 12 A330-200s and four of the huge double-decker A380s.
