Etihad Airways has achieved another milestone with the arrival of its twentieth aircraft, making Etihad now one of the youngest commercial airline fleets in the world. The latest addition is the…
Etihad Airways has achieved another milestone with the arrival of its twentieth aircraft, making Etihad now one of the youngest commercial airline fleets in the world. The latest addition is the 3 zone Airbus A340-500 which arrived in Abu Dhabi with Geert W Boven, Etihad’s acting CEO, on board having flown directly from Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France.
“Once again Etihad is proud to be leading the aviation industry with the introduction of our advanced fleet of aircraft. Each aircraft has been designed and built to our unique specifications which will ensure our Guests are always afforded our superior standards of hospitality and comfort. This latest arrival means that 80 percent of our fleet is brand new,” said Geert W Boven.
Etihad made history in 2004 when it placed an order for $8billion for 29 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft, the largest order for a new airline.
Among the aircraft to have arrived in Abu Dhabi so far, are ten A330-200s which form the back-bone of the fleet, and five Boeing 777-300 ERs.
The most exciting addition to the fleet is expected in 2008 when Etihad takes delivery of four of the double-decker A380-800s, which can carry 555 Guests in a 3 zone configuration.
Etihad will operate the A340-500 on its new daily service between Abu Dhabi and New York which is launched on 26 October.
“Each zone on board the new A340-500 offers Guests the very highest levels of comfort. With our new advanced fleet and product, it is unsurprising that Etihad has twice been awarded the prestigious title of being the world’s leading new airline,” continued Boven.
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