What is Etihad’s plan for 2005?
Etihad Airways has selected Airbus’ wide-body long-range aircraft and the new generation double-deck Airbus A380 for its future growth.
The airline has signed an MOU to purchase 24 Airbus aircraft, including four of the revolutionary double-decked A380s, four ultra-long range A340-500s, four A340-600s and 12 A330-200s, the most efficient wide-body twin.
In addition the airline has also taken options to purchase 12 additional aircraft, the types of which will be defined in due course. Deliveries to Etihad are to begin in 2006 for the A330-200s and A340-500s, and in 2007 for the A340-600s and A380s. The A340-500s and -600s will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 500s – the A330 and A380 engines have yet to be announced. Etihad will use the aircraft to further develop its route network within the Middle East and to Europe, Asia, India and to North America during the first quarter of 2005.
Etihad plans to serve around 30 destinations by the end of 2005.