etihad profile

Established in 2003, Etihad Airways (Arabic: الإتحاد‎, ʼal-ʻitiħād) is the flag carrier airline of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Etihad has its head office in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi.



Etihad is the Arabic abbreviation for الإمارات العربية المتحدة – United Arab Emirates. It operates services to the Middle East, Europe, Indian subcontinent, North America, Far East, Africa, Central Asia, and Oceania. Its main base is Abu Dhabi International Airport.





In 2009, it carried more than seven million passengers, compared with 340,000 in its first full year of operations in 2004.

History

Etihad Airways Airbus A340-500 taking off at London Heathrow AirportEtihad Airways was established as the national airline of the United Arab Emirates in July 2003 by Royal (Amiri) Decree issued by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It started with an initial paid-up capital of AED500 million. Services were launched with a ceremonial flight to Al Ain on 5 November 2003. On 12 November 2003, Etihad commenced commercial operations with the launch of services to Beirut, and has gone on to become the fastest growing airline in the history of commercial aviation.



In June 2004, the airline made an US$8-billion order for new aircraft in 2004, which included five Boeing 777-300ERs and 24 Airbus aircraft, including four A380-800s. The airline announced the largest aircraft order in commercial aviation history at Farnborough International Air show in 2008, for up to 205 aircraft – 100 firm orders, 55 options and 50 purchase rights.

As of May 2010, the airline operates services to 61 destinations around the world from its home base in Abu Dhabi.

In 2008 Etihad carried more than 6 million passengers, compared to 4.6 million in 2007.






Etihad Airways Fleet Aircraft Total Orders Options Purchase Rights Passengers
(Diamond/Pearl/Coral)
Airbus A319-100
Airbus A320-200
Airbus A330-200
Airbus A330-300
Airbus A340-500
Airbus A340-600
Airbus A350-1000
Airbus A380-800
Boeing 777-300ER
Boeing 787–9 0
Etihad Crystal Cargo Fleet
Airbus A300-600RF
Airbus A330-200F
Boeing 777-F 0 1
McDonnell Douglas MD-11F
Total 53 106 54 50