Etihad Airways has completed a business plan which will see the carrier add at least 100 aircraft between 2010 and 2020.
The fast-growing Abu Dhabi-based carrier announced firm orders at July's Farnborough air show for 55 Airbus and 45 Boeing aircraft plus 55 options. Chief executive James Hogan says the carrier has now "completed a network plan up to 2030 and a fleet plan between the end of 2011 and 2020 that absorbs these aircraft".
Hogan adds the order, which comprises of 35 787s, 25 A350s, 20 A320s, 10 A380s and 10 777s, "gives us the opportunity to stagger the growth, improve the frequency, develop the network connections over the new Abu Dhabi mid-field terminal and take advantage of the ongoing liberalisation of the Indian aviation space and the Middle East aviation space". He says the A380s "give us the ability to focus on slot constrained markets - Sydney, London and New York".
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Etihad, which only launched in late 2003, now operates to 45 destinations with 37 aircraft. In August Etihad will add Mink and reveal its second Australian destination. It is also increasing its London Heathrow service to thrice daily, having outbid several carriers to lease two daily slot pairs from Luxair. Hogan would not say how much he is paying for the slots but says he is confident he can secure another pair to increase Heathrow to four times daily.
Hogan is also confident there is sufficient local demand to support Etihad's rapid growth plan because Abu Dhabi's population is exploding and the emirate is becoming a major tourist destination. Hogan says Abu Dhabi has also proven itself as "a natural hub" which the carrier will be able to further grow as markets in the Middle East, Indian subcontinent and CIS liberalise. "There are huge markets on our doorstep that are regulated but that will become unregulated over the coming years," he says.
Source: Airline Business
