New carrier Etihad Airways is confident it can replicate the high growth levels of its Gulf neighbour airlines by rapidly creating a worldwide network and growing to a fleet of at least 50 aircraft, writes Max Kingsley-Jones.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline launched operations with two Airbus A330-200s in November with the full backing of the Abu Dhabi government. It has just added its sixth destination and first European route - London Heathrow - and the airline's manager network planning Nik Howarth says that average expansion of "one aircraft and one destination a month...and a fleet of 50-70 widebodies by the end of the decade, is realistic".
Etihad has recently added an A340-300, and is "talking to various lessors about A330s, [Boeing] 777s and possibly a 767", says manager for product development Richard Bate, who adds that the fleet will have grown to nine widebodies by the end of the year.
Howarth says that the airline has firm plans to add four new A330-200s on lease next year and "is in the middle of a study to acquire new Airbus or Boeing 250-seat aircraft", which will be "finalised this year". He says that the deal will include a mix of leases and direct purchases, with deliveries possibly beginning before the end of 2005.
The main types under evaluation are the A330-200/300, 777-200ER and, for the longer term, the 7E7. The A340-500/600 and 777-300 are being evaluated for certain mission requirements.
"We are currently evaluating 16 destinations worldwide," says Howarth, adding that Indian services will start in August when daily flights to Mumbai begin, and Delhi will be added "at the end of December". Etihad chairman Dr Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan says there are plans to start US flights next year, and services to China are also being considered.
Source: Flight International
