DELIVERING THE PROMISE: Etihad keeps its word

Etihad Airways placed one of the largest aircraft orders in commercial aviation history in July at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK.

The total deal is for up to 205 aircraft, worth approximately US $43 billion at list prices. The new aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2011 and 2020 and when delivered will give the national airline of the United Arab Emirates a fleet of more than 150 aircraft. The airline has set its sights on flying 25 million passengers a year to at least 100 destinations by 2020 and Etihad’s network expansion will continue in 2009. Etihad has confirmed new route launches in 2009 to Melbourne (March 30), Athens (June 1), Istanbul (June 2) and Chicago (September 2).

James Latham caught up with David Granville, Etihad Airways sales opportunities manager, at the recent World Travel Market.