Announced today at Farborough:
Etihad Airways, the new national airline of the United Arab Emirates, announced at a press conference at the Airbus chalet in Farnborough today an order for 24 Airbus aircraft and 12 options, worth a total of some seven billion US dollars. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) includes four A380s, four A340-500s, four A340-600s and twelve A330-200s. The airline has also taken options on a further 12 wide body aircraft. Signature of the final purchase agreement is expected for September of this year.
Deliveries to the Abu Dhabi-based airline 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 selected. Abu Dhabi is planning a new airport to be ready in time for the entry in service of the A380 in the first quarter of 2007.Noel Forgeard, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “This order deal is very important for the Airbus wide body family of aircraft and it is certainly one of the biggest order ever. This new customer for the A380 will fly the flag of Abu Dhabi over the world.”
Dr Ahmed Bin Saif al Nahyan, chairman of Etihad Airways said, “Today is a truly significant day in Etihad’s young existence. I cannot recall a time in airline history when a start-up operation, barely eight months old, has had the confidence, resources and ambition to place orders for 24 new widebodied and very large aircraft. If you think the last eight months have been busy for us – this is nothing compared to what the coming months and years have in store.”Etihad will use the aircraft to further develop its route network within the Middle East and to Europe, Asia, India and to North America. Etihad currently operates a fleet of six aircraft, including four of the market leading A330-200s and an Airbus A340-300. By 2010, it is planning to operate more than 50 aircraft.
Wow, such massive expansion for such a young airline. Would never have expected the A380!
By: Pablo - 20th July 2004 at 22:27
The Abu Dhabi Government would be the answer to your question, which is not having to depend more and more on tourism because its oil is rapidly running out.
Thanks. That explains it!
By: Pablo - 20th July 2004 at 22:27
Gulf Air is owned by a number of Arab countries. Now each of these countries is getting their own mega-carrier (Qatar, Emirates, Etihad……) the willingness to pay Gulf Air’s bills is getting smaller.
Wonder if the respective Governments would ever disband Gulf Air, in much the same way as SAS’ domestic and European ops have been split between the three countries?
By: RIPConcorde - 20th July 2004 at 18:52
I see….Gulf Air doesn’t stand a chance!
By: tenthije - 20th July 2004 at 18:32
When is Airbus going to decide not to build the planes in Toulouse, but to make them in Dubai? Most A380s seem to be sold to the middle east.
That was my suspicion.
So why does Gulf Air seem to be the airline failing the most in that region just now?
Gulf Air is owned by a number of Arab countries. Now each of these countries is getting their own mega-carrier (Qatar, Emirates, Etihad……) the willingness to pay Gulf Air’s bills is getting smaller.
By: Hand87_5 - 20th July 2004 at 18:01
The Abu Dhabi Government would be the answer to your question, which is not having to depend more and more on tourism because its oil is rapidly running out.
Fair point.
By: Silver Snapper - 20th July 2004 at 18:01
Good luck to them, don’t know where the money is coming from, but good luck to them…
Oil money! These airlines have little in the way of their
own countries pax catchment, they appear to be attempting to poach connecting pax from established airlines. Worrying enough for the established airlines to
cut fares from/to the Middle East.
By: tonyosborne - 20th July 2004 at 17:50
Who on earth is providing finance to Etihad? Who owns the airline? I’m not dissing their ambition, but how can a relatively new start-up raise financing for 24 new a/c plus 12 options?
The Abu Dhabi Government would be the answer to your question, which is not having to depend more and more on tourism because its oil is rapidly running out.
By: Hand87_5 - 20th July 2004 at 16:34
The good point is that A345 and 346 will be powered by RR Trent 500;
By: Bmused55 - 20th July 2004 at 14:58
Theres gonna by tear at bedtime in that area of the world.
Too many airlines competing for pax on a market that isn’t exactly growing fast.
As with so many airlines that have overexpanded and taken on too much, this could end Etihad
By: wilag - 20th July 2004 at 14:55
Agree that the countries are oil rich but I just can’t see this happening, what with the likes of Emirates and such being a monopoly out there already. Maybe an order but bet they don’t get delivered
By: Pablo - 20th July 2004 at 14:38
Who on earth is providing finance to Etihad? Who owns the airline? I’m not dissing their ambition, but how can a relatively new start-up raise financing for 24 new a/c plus 12 options?
By: RIPConcorde - 20th July 2004 at 14:35
Oil my dear. those airlines are not profitable.
Qatar for example (tell me if I’m wrong) is not profitable , however those countries are filthy rich with oil. Therfore I’m not surprise that they can afford to buy a brand new fleet like this.
That was my suspicion.
So why does Gulf Air seem to be the airline failing the most in that region just now?
By: Hand87_5 - 20th July 2004 at 14:25
I can’t get my head round the Middle Easten airline market these days.
First EK order 40 odd A380s! and now an airline who is, how old? not even a year? are putting in an order like this!
Good luck to them, don’t know where the money is coming from, but good luck to them…
Oil my dear. those airlines are not profitable.
Qatar for example (tell me if I’m wrong) is not profitable , however those countries are filthy rich with oil. Therfore I’m not surprise that they can afford to buy a brand new fleet like this.
By: Pembo330 - 20th July 2004 at 14:24
This is fantastic news for Airbus, the Middle East & the aviation world generally. 🙂
Whilst the order does show a massive expansion on current activities, I suspect somebody at Ethidad might know what they’re doing? 😉
Thanks for the info LBA. 🙂
By: RIPConcorde - 20th July 2004 at 14:22
I can’t get my head round the Middle Easten airline market these days.
First EK order 40 odd A380s! and now an airline who is, how old? not even a year? are putting in an order like this!
Good luck to them, don’t know where the money is coming from, but good luck to them…
By: Bmused55 - 20th July 2004 at 14:13
Worryingly ambitious!
agreed
By: wysiwyg - 20th July 2004 at 14:10
Worryingly ambitious!
By: Bmused55 - 20th July 2004 at 14:04
Has the term “over expansion” been mentioned to these people?
By: 4 engines good - 20th July 2004 at 13:57
Good news for Airbus and the A380 programme!
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July 20, 2004 at 1:46 pm