add site
services
publishers
database
health videos
toolbar
stats
live show
health store
more stuff
JOIN/LOGIN
| advertise add site services publishers database health videos
| | about toolbar stats live show health store more stuff JOIN/LOGIN |
Established in 2003, Etihad Airways (Arabic: الإتحاد, ʼal-ʻitiħād) is the flag carrier airline of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Etihad is based in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. 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.[1] In 2008, it carried more than six million passengers, compared with 340,000 in its first full year of operations in 2004.
[edit] 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 a 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. [edit] PerformanceAs of 2009[update] 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.[2] 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)[3] [edit] 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. [edit] DestinationsMain article: Etihad Airways destinations As of September 2009 Etihad Airways serves 58 destinations[4] 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. Beginning on March 1st, 2010 Etihad will fly from Abu Dhabi to Nagoya via Beijing and from March 27th, 2010 to Tokyo's Narita Airport even though this destination is still waiting for regulatory approval. [edit]Etihad has codeshare agreements with the following airlines (as of November 2009):
[edit] Fleet The entire fleet as of December 24, 2009: [11] [12] [13]
[edit] Cabin[edit] Diamond Zone First Class is known as the Diamond Zone[14]. 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). [edit] Pearl Zone Business Class is known as the Pearl Zone[15]. 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. [edit] Coral ZoneEconomy Class is known as the Coral Zone[16]. 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. [edit] In-flight entertainmentEtihad uses the Thales TopSeries i5000 [17] 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. Internatinal 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. [edit] Etihad GuestEtihad 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. [edit] Company data and management structureIn the financial year 2008, Etihad carried 6 million passengers and 330,000 tonnes of cargo[18]. Etihad has 6,300 members of staff which includes around 3,000 cabin crew and 600 pilots. [edit] Board of directorsEtihad 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. [edit] Management teamThe airline is led by James Hogan (formerly CEO of Gulf Air) who was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in October 2006. [edit] Corporate sponsorship 
[edit] AwardsEtihad Airways has received over 30 awards since its inauguration in 2003. It has a four star rating by Skytrax. It is currently voted the number 1 airline for having the best business class in the world; by over 6 million travellers throughout the world who have travelled with Etihad Airways. It has also dominated awards for having the best first class in the world, winning it for the second time in the last two years; which were awarded by the WTA - 'World Travel Awards' association. In November 2009 Etihad Airways won the "World's Leading Airline" award at the World Travel Awards in London. This award is a first for any Middle East airline. [edit] Incidents and accidents Etihad Airways has had no fatal accidents and no major accidents in revenue service.
[edit] Controversy
[edit] References
[edit] External linksFind more about Etihad Airways on Wikipedia's sister projects:  Definitions from Wiktionary Textbooks from Wikibooks Quotations from Wikiquote Source texts from Wikisource Images and media from Commons News stories from Wikinews Learning resources from Wikiversity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ↑ top of page ↑ | about thumbshots |
