15 Years of Etihad Airways

Monday, noveMber 12, 2018 khaleej times

Celebrating 15 years khALEEj TimEs

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CONquERiNG ThE SkiES Etihad Airways continues to offer personalised journeys for a comfortable travel experience

Key Milestones

♦ Staff Reporter Abu DhAbi: Fifteen years ago on November 5 evening, when the inaugural Airbus A330-200 aircraft of Etihad Airways took off from the Abu Dhabi international airport, it was the birth of a new era in the aviation industry.

That 40-minute symbolic journey from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain saw the emirate’s national airline soaring to new heights in the years to come to establish itself as a world-class airline connecting the world to the uAE capital.

On November 12 of the same year, regular commercial flights were launched from Abu Dhabi to the Lebanese capital, beirut.

After its launch, it did not take too long for Etihad to claim the skies. Within two years, the airline was named the ‘World’s Leading New Airline’ at the World Travel Awards. This was just the beginning of a litany of awards the airline won in the coming years. by 2016, the airline has bagged the World Leading Airline award for the eighth consecutive time.

The year 2014 also marked an important milestone for the airline when Etihad Airways introduced an Airbus A380 aircraft between the capital of the united Arab Emirates (uAE) and Paris Charles de Gaulle.

The aircraft boasted of the ultra-luxurious The Residence — a three-room suite that accommodates up to two guests, features a living room with a 32-inch LCD monitor, bedroom with a double bed, separate ensuite shower room and dedicated personal butler. On top of that, an inflight Chef is

Officials pose in front of the Etihad carrier in 2003. Etihad, which means unity, made its inaugural flight from the capital city to Al Ain on November 5 with a single Airbus A330-200 aircraft. — WAM

As of 2018

84

DESTINATIoNS

22,594 EMPLoyEES

110

FLEET oF AIRCRAFT (PASSENGER AND CARGo)

FLIGHT SIMULAToRS

A380 AIRCRAFT

20

787 AIRCRAFT

Etihad Airways is established and first commercial flight to Beirut is launched

2004

Etihad Cargo is launched

2005

Etihad named ‘World’s Leading New Airline’ at the World Travel Awards

2006

6.1

yEARS AvERAGE AGE oF AIRCRAFT

12

10

2003

6

DEDICATED HUMANITARIAN RELIEF CHARTERS

152

NATIoNALITIES

Captains pose during the Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2018 at Al-Bateen Executive Airport. — AFP

Etihad Guest, the airline’s loyalty programme, is launched

2007

The first UAE national joins Etihad’s graduate programme and Etihad is announced as the official sponsor for Formula 1

2008 Within two years, Etihad Airways was named the ‘World’s Leading New Airline’ at the World Travel Awards.

This was just the beginning of a litany of awards the airline won in the coming years. By 2016, the airline has bagged the World Leading Airline award for the eighth consecutive time.

Emirati cadet pilots complete first solo flight

2009

Dedicated Terminal 3 opens at Abu Dhabi International Airport

2010

Hala Abu Dhabi is established

2011

A 10-year partnership deal was signed with Manchester City FC and included naming rights for the club’s stadium and campus and shirt sponsorship

2012

Etihad Airways flies record of over 10 million passengers and Etihad is named “World’s Leading Airline” for the third consecutive year

2013

Etihad acquires three companies which together become Etihad Airport Services managing catering, ground handling and cargo

KT file photo of Etihad Airways’ Formula 1 racing car at Emirates Palace in 2009. available to custom-create menus to order.

The aircraft also redefined cabin classes by the introduction of ultra-luxurious First Apartments (First Class), business Studios (business Class), and Economy Smart Seats (Economy Class).

With innovation, excellence and customer care at the heart of its corporate policy, the airline continued to revolutionise and modernise how people flew. in November 2018, the airline announced that it is introducing Economy Space, a new seating option across its wide-body fleet.

by December 2018, Etihad Airways will have retrofitted its 10 Airbus A380s with

Economy Space seats, which feature an increased seat pitch of up to 36 inches. The redesign increases the number of extra legroom seats in Economy from 20 to 80 on this aircraft type. in response to the popularity and demand for extra legroom seats, we have reconfigured our Economy cabin to allow travellers to enhance their overall travel experience,” said Jamal Ahmed Al Awadhi, Etihad Airways head of Guest Experience. in addition to modifying its A380s, Etihad Airways will have also added additional Economy Space seats to 12 boeing 777s and 21 boeing 787 Dreamliners by the end of

2014

Etihad Airways takes delivery of its first Airbus A380, showcasing the all-new cabins: The Residence, First Apartments, Business Studios and Economy Smart Seats Etihad Airways takes delivery of its 100th and 101st aircraft on the same day. — WAM 2019, increasing the total number of extra legroom seats by 560 per cent.

Economy Space complements Etihad Airways’ existing ancillary products to

provide customers with greater opportunities to personalise their journey, including the Neighbour-free seating option in Economy and a range of ‘buy-on-board’ products.

2015

The airline’s first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is delivered; US PreClearance Facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport set to operate for all US-bound flights

2016

Etihad Airways launches mobile Android app and rolls out initiatives to ease check-in including Economy Class early check-in counters, online and mobile check in and Abu Dhabi International Airports’ “Smart Travel”

2017

Etihad guests benefit from greater choice when they fly, with preferential seating options and new, unbundled fares

2018

Etihad Airways headquarters in Abu Dhabi (2012). — Reuters

People queue to experience the Etihad Airbus A380 at the Dubai Airshow in 2017.

Etihad Aviation Training, the training arm of Etihad Aviation Group, is launched with the aim of becoming one of the most comprehensive aviation training facilities in the world [1458546]

khaleej times Monday, noveMber 12, 2018

Celebrating 15 years

khaleej times

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Leading the way through innovation Etihad Airways marks its rise as a top carrier in the world Etihad Airways is celebrating 15 years since its first flight and its subsequent rise as one of the world’s leading airlines. The major milestone is being marked with a series of events and initiatives in Abu Dhabi and around the world, beginning with the unveiling of an exclusive collaboration with iconic New York fashion designer, Diane von Furstenberg.

Etihad Airways commenced flying on November 5, 2003, with a single Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which performed a symbolic flight to Abu Dhabi’s historic city of Al Ain. Regular commercial flights were launched on November 12 of the same year from Abu Dhabi to the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

The UAE national airline now operates a next-generation fleet of over 110 modern Boeing and Airbus aircraft, flying to 84 passenger and cargo destinations. Over the span of 15 years, Etihad Airways has operated over 840,000 passenger flights and has carried 139 million guests globally, served by a dedicated workforce of over 22,000 talented individuals hailing from over 150 countries.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “We are tremendously proud of Etihad’s achievements in just 15 years. In this short time, we have emerged as one of the world’s most respected and recognised airline brands, known for leading the way through innovation, and upholding the best aspects

♦

Etihad is one of the youngest and most innovative global airline brands.

♦

Exclusive Formula 1 collaboration with designer Diane von Furstenberg launched a series of 15-year celebratory events.

Etihad Airways Cabin Crew in new limited edition scarves and ties designed

by Diane von Furstenberg. of Arabian hospitality, delivered to millions of customers with a style and flair synonymous with the national airline of the UAE. We can look to the future with renewed vigour and vitality, as the airline of choices, showcasing Abu Dhabi everywhere we fly.

“We express sincere thanks to our customers, our corporate and travel trade partners here in Abu Dhabi and around the world, and our people for their invaluable loyalty and support.”

To mark the occasion, Diane von Furstenberg has worked with Etihad Airways to design limited edition cabin crew scarves and ties, which were introduced at a starstudded event at the spectacular Louvre Abu Dhabi. The stylish new accessories will be worn by the airline’s cabin crew throughout November to celebrate its 15year anniversary and its 10-year partnership with the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

There are three distinguished patterns for the various cabin crew positions on board, chosen to match the airline’s colour palette: bold yellow for cabin managers, purple for cabin crew and white for food and beverage managers.

Diane Von Furstenberg, the designer, said: “Formula 1 is such an elegant event

(From third left) Amina Taher, Vice-President — Corporate Affairs at Etihad Aviation Group, Actress Liv Tyler, Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Aviation Group, IMG supermodel Joan Smalls, and Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer Etihad Aviation Group, flanked by Etihad Airways Cabin Crew.

Etihad airways has opEratEd ovEr

840,000 passEngEr flights, carriEd

139

million guEsts globally, sErvEd by a dEdicatEd workforcE of ovEr

and I was thrilled to collaborate with Etihad Airways on this exciting project. The geometric pattern was inspired by the Yas Marina Circuit and there are so many layers of meaning to the colours. Purple is the colour of royalty, and the orange is inspired by the beautiful hues of the desert sand at sunset. I hope the cabin crew feels very proud to wear the scarves and ties. They

reflect everything Etihad is about – elegance and style.”

The event at Louvre Abu Dhabi was jointly hosted by Etihad Airways, IMG supermodel Joan Smalls, who unveiled the new scarves via a model diary video, and actress Liv Tyler, and attended by some of the UAE’s most influential figures including global fashion and lifestyle media.

22,000 talEntEd individuals hailing from ovEr

150 countriEs.

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