March 20, 2009
Abu Dhabi - The national airline of UAE intends to carry more passengers to the Philippines this summer as additional aircraft arrives to join its fleet of more than 40 jets.
"The airline will expand its global flight network to 55 destinations as well grow its fleet to 52 aircraft in 2009," said James Hogan, the airlines Chief Executive Officer.
He added that "11 new passenger aircraft are set to join Etihad's fleet in 2009, which would enable it to launch services to Melbourne, Istanbul, Athens, Larnaca and Chicago, as well as increase frequencies on many existing routes across its network of international destinations".
"The airline will expand its global flight network to 55 destinations as well grow its fleet to 52 aircraft in 2009," said James Hogan, the airlines Chief Executive Officer.
He added that "11 new passenger aircraft are set to join Etihad's fleet in 2009, which would enable it to launch services to Melbourne, Istanbul, Athens, Larnaca and Chicago, as well as increase frequencies on many existing routes across its network of international destinations".
A total of 900 flights will operate this summer which is 20% more than the current 750 fligts. Manila and Kuala Lumpur maintains a load factor of more than 90% despite the economic slowdown and another Boeing 777ER will be flown there when it arrives.
Currently Etihad has a fleet of 44 narrow and wide-body aircraft which will rise to 52 by the end of 2009. The new additions consist of two Airbus A330-200s, one A330-300, two A340-600s, five A320-200s and one Boeing 777-300ER.The airline will fly to Melbourne on March 29 and the route will be flown by an Airbus A340-600, configured to carry 292 passengers and 15 tonnes of cargo. The addition of Melbourne, will joins Sydney and Brisbane, as its destination in Australia. Larnaca in Cyprus is slated to be open in June.
The introduction of flights in June to Istanbul, Athens and Larnaca, as well as increases in frequency to Brussels, Geneva, Milan and Moscow, means that Etihad will offer its customers a choice of 98 weekly flights into 14 European countries.
Currently Etihad has a fleet of 44 narrow and wide-body aircraft which will rise to 52 by the end of 2009. The new additions consist of two Airbus A330-200s, one A330-300, two A340-600s, five A320-200s and one Boeing 777-300ER.The airline will fly to Melbourne on March 29 and the route will be flown by an Airbus A340-600, configured to carry 292 passengers and 15 tonnes of cargo. The addition of Melbourne, will joins Sydney and Brisbane, as its destination in Australia. Larnaca in Cyprus is slated to be open in June.
The introduction of flights in June to Istanbul, Athens and Larnaca, as well as increases in frequency to Brussels, Geneva, Milan and Moscow, means that Etihad will offer its customers a choice of 98 weekly flights into 14 European countries.
"We are bullish about our prospects this year even though the market is very tough. We will be monitoring the market every week, month and quarter and will evolve appropriate strategies to meet our targets" Hogan said.
The first commercial flight operated by Etihad was in November 2003. The 6 years old airline operates 50 international destinations in 2008.
The Philippines and United Arab Emirates recently amended its Air Service Agreement in January to handle and accommodate increase traffic from both countries.
No comments:
Post a Comment