Airline News
Etihad to switch B787 options to equity partners?
October 7th 2014
Etihad Airways could switch the options it has on 12 B787-10s to carriers in has stakes in if needed in the future. Read More »
“We can swop positions and purchase rights options," said Etihad chief commercial officer (CCO) Peter Baumgartner at an event to unveil the airline's first Boeing 787-9 at Boeing's facilities in Everett.
The CCO’s comment came in response to an enquiry about airberlin’s recent cancellation of all 15 orders for the B787-9. Etihad holds a 29.21% equity stake in the German carrier.
Meanwhile, Etihad chief executive officer James Hogan said airberlin’s restructuring is in full force and network coordination with its equity partners has created synergies which will help make airberlin “best in class” in terms of unit cost, he added.
Etihad is continuing its growth trend. The arrival of new A380 and B787 aircraft this year will help it bolster service on existing routes and free up aircraft for planned new services and added frequencies. The carrier will serve 110 destinations by the end of this year, up from 86 two years ago.
The carrier has boosted passengers carried by 22% to 6.7 million in first-half 2014, including 3.5 million in the second quarter. Capacity as measured in ASKs was up 19%, the carrier reported. The increases helped boost first-half revenue 28% to $3.2 billion.
Etihad has recently introduced a new livery with the arrival of the A380 and B787 aircraft and said contact bridges at its home base will be ready for the December 27 revenue service introduction of the double decker on the Abu Dhabi – Heathrow route.
