Etihad Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Arab Emirates.
Established by royal decree in July 2003 and based in Abu Dhabi, Etihad commenced operations
in November 2003.
The name derives from the Arabic word for "union".
The airline operates more than 1,000 flights per week to 96 passenger and cargo destinations
in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas, with a fleet of
85 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
In 2012, Etihad carried 10.3 million passengers, a 23% increase from the previous year, delivering
revenues of US$ 4.8 billion and net profits of US$ 42 million.
Etihad Airways is the fourth largest airline in the Middle East and it is the second largest
airline in the United Arab Emirates, after the Dubai-based airline Emirates.
In addition to its core activity of passenger transportation, Etihad also operates Etihad
Holidays and Etihad Cargo.
The airline is based at Abu Dhabi International Airport and its head office is in Khalifa
City A, Abu Dhabi.
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, Aer Lingus,
Virgin Australia.
Also, Etihad is close to acquiring 24% stake in Indian carrier Jet Airways.
On August 1, 2013, the President of the company, James Hogan, signed a deal with Aleksandar
Vučić, First Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, in Belgrade, giving Etihad a 49% stake in
the Serbian national carrier Jat Airways/Air Serbia.
The Serbian Government retained 51% of the shares.
Among numerous terms of the deal, a complete re-branding of Jat Airways was planned, including
a name change.
The new company is named Air Serbia.
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.
In June 2014, after long negotiations and subject to approval Etihad agreed to take
a 49% stake in the troubled Italian flag carrier Alitalia for an undisclosed sum.
History Etihad Airways was established as the flag
carrier of the United Arab Emirates in July 2003 by 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 commenced commercial operations with the launch of services to
Beirut, and has gone on to become the fastest growing airline in the history of commercial
aviation.
Prior to the establishment of Etihad, Gulf Air was the airline which was based at Abu
Dhabi Airport and was also co-owned by Bahrain.
In June 2004, the airline made an US$8-billion aircraft order for five Boeing 777-300ERs
and 24 Airbus aircraft, including four A380-800s.
Their first A380 is scheduled to be 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.
As of February 2013, the airline operates passenger and cargo services to 86 destinations
around the world from its home base in Abu Dhabi.
In 2012, Etihad carried 10.3 million passengers, a 23% increase on the previous year.
Corporate affairs Head office
Etihad has its head office, in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, near Abu Dhabi International
Airport.
Etihad spent 183.6 million UAE dirhams 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 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.
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 is led by James Hogan who was appointed as President and Chief Executive
Officer on 10 September 2006.
Etihad Equity Alliance One of the pillars of Etihad's operation is
its equity alliance, which is composed of: Darwin Airline
Air Serbia Air Seychelles
Air Berlin Jet Airways
Virgin Australia Aer Lingus
Alitalia Business trends
The key trends for Etihad Airways since it started trading in November 2003 are shown
below:
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
Current On 30 July 2007 it was announced that Etihad
Airways would become the main sponsor of Harlequins rugby club and Harlequins Rugby League club.
The sponsorship also includes renaming the East Stand at the Twickenham Stoop to the
Etihad Stand.
Etihad's logo is painted on the roof of the stand which is under the flight path to London
Heathrow Airport.
Harlequins were Aviva Premiership champions after winning the 2011–12 season.
On 18 December 2007 Etihad announced that they 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.
The name change to Etihad Stadium took effect on 1 March 2009.
In May 2009, it was also announced that Etihad would be the official sponsor of Premier League
side Manchester City.
Part of the deal now includes the renaming of Manchester City's stadium to the "Etihad
Stadium".
Manchester City were the Premier League champions during the 2011–2012 season.
Etihad sponsors Scuderia Ferrari in Formula 1 from 2008 onwards.
For the 2007 season, Etihad was one of the title sponsors for the Etihad Aldar Spyker
F1 Team.
Because the team was purchased by the chairman of another airline, Etihad switched to Scuderia
Ferrari.
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 GAA signed a new five-year sponsorship deal with Etihad.
In November 2013, it was also announced that Etihad would be the official sponsor of Cyprus
First Division side Anorthosis Famagusta.
On 25 March 2014, Etihad announced a partnership with Major League Soccer to become the Official
Airline Partner of MLS, in a multi-year deal.
Former Etihad is 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, as well as the Al-Jazira Club.
Awards and recognitions Etihad Airways has received over 30 awards
since its inauguration in 2003.
It has won the World Travel Awards designation for having the best Business Class in the
world in 2009.
In November 2009 Etihad Airways won the "World's Leading Airline" award at the World Travel
Awards in London.
In November 2013, Etihad Airways won the "World's Leading Airline - First Class 2013" World
Travel Awards In 2010, Etihad Airways won the "World"s Best
First Class' award by Skytrax at Hamburg.
Etihad also received awards for "Best First Class catering" and "Best First Class Seat"
as well.
Etihad was awarded the World's Leading Airline in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 by the World
Travel Awards.
In 2013, Etihad Airways received all three awards in the First Class Category at the
2013 Skytrax World Airline Awards – "Best First Class", "Best First Class Seats" and
"Best First Class Catering".
On 9 June 2014 Etihad announced that was withdrawing from Skytrax.
Cargo
Etihad Cargo operates three Boeing B777F, two Boeing 747-400F, one Boeing 747-8F and
three Airbus A330-200F.
Etihad Cargo has one additional Airbus A330-200F freighter scheduled for delivery in 2014.
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.
Destinations
As of September 2013, Etihad serves 96 passenger and cargo destinations across Africa, Europe,
North America, South America, Asia and Australasia from its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Etihad Airways, along with British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Korean Air, Qantas,
Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways and United Airlines, is one of the
few carriers to have services to all six inhabited continents.
Codeshare agreements Etihad Airways has codeshare agreements with
the following airlines: Additionally, Etihad Airways has a codeshare
partnership with French Railways SNCF.
Fleet
The Etihad Airways fleet consists of the following aircraft:
Notes ^1 First class includes one First Residence
suite that can seat up to two passengers, and nine First Apartment suites.
Services Cabin
Etihad has 3 cabins, Diamond First Class, Pearl Business Class and Coral Economy Class.
When Etihad's A380's and B787's arrive new cabins will be introduced, their names being,
The Residence, The Apartments, First class suite, Business Studio and Economy Smart seat.
All the fleet will be retrofitted into these cabins except The residence and The apartments
which are only on the A380's.
In-flight entertainment Etihad uses both the Panasonic eX2 and the
Thales TopSeries i5000 in-flight entertainment system with AVOD system on its new long-range
aircraft and on some of its new A320-200 aircraft.
Etihad brand 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 and Boeing 777-300ER all have in-flight telephone facility.
Etihad has signed a new 10-year agreement with Panasonic Avionics Corporation for the
provision of in-flight entertainment which will include broadband internet and live TV.
Loyalty programme Etihad Guest is the airline's frequent flyer
program, launched on 30 August 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:
Etihad has released information on a new partnership deal with Virgin Australia.
All Virgin services will be available to Etihad customers, opening up 44 destinations in Australia,
New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and to Asia and Los Angeles.
The airlines will share their frequent flyer benefits.
See also Emirates
Qatar Airways Saudia
Gulf Air References
External links Etihad Airways official website
Etihad Airways Destinations