Etihad aims for the sky

MIDDLE Eastern carrier Etihad Airways has earmarked massive expansion for the UK following its giant aircraft order at Farnborough Airshow.

The airline, which only started operating in March, has placed orders with Airbus for 24 wide-bodied aircraft, including four twin-decked A380s, due to come into

service in 2006.

The deal, worth around $7 billion, is one of the largest in aviation history and unheard of for a new airline.

Chairman Dr Ahmed Bin Saif Al Nahyan confirmed the A380 would be used on its Heathrow-Abu Dhabi route.

He said: “We are looking at a number of destinations for the aircraft – Asia, North America and, of course, London.”

UK general manager Peter Dunkin said the carrier would be looking at more London frequencies and is also reviewing the possibility of services from the regions.

Etihad will operate eight weekly Heathrow flights and a daily Gatwick service from the start of the winter schedule.

“London has great potential to act as a feed through Abu Dhabi to our main destinations, and for services to Abu Dhabi itself.

“The regions are definitely in our plans. If you look back at what has happened to us since March, who knows what will happen.”

Dunkin also unveiled plans to host more trade educationals to boost awareness of the carrier.

He said: “We are getting load factors of around 68% at the moment, which is great for a start-up airline, but there’s a lot of potential to increase with the help of

the trade.”

The carrier is also planning to launch a television advertising campaign to raise the public’s awareness.

The order is also made up of 12 A330-200s, four A340-500s and a further four A340-600s.