From: James Hogan, chief executive
To: All Etihad Airways staff
The Etihad Airways Chairman His Highness Dr Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan and myself have announced a firm order for 55 new Airbus aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK. The list price for the order is approximately US $12 billion.
The agreement with Airbus comprises firm orders for:
20 A320 aircraft. The engine type is subject to further discussions
25 A350 aircraft, powered by Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines
10 A380 aircraft. The engine type is subject to further discussions.
There are also options for five A320s, 10 A350s and five A380s together with purchase rights for a further 15 A320s, 15 A350s and five A380s.
Together with the order for 45 new Boeing aircraft announced earlier today, this brings the total firm orders made at Farnborough to 100 aircraft.
The agreement with Boeing comprises firm orders for:
35 B787 aircraft. The engine type is subject to further discussions
10 B777 aircraft, powered by GE90 engines.
There are also options for a further 25 Boeing 787s and 10 Boeing 777s.
The airline has also announced purchase rights for a further 10 Boeing 787s and five Boeing 777s.
All the new aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2011 and 2020 and when delivered will give Etihad a fleet of more than 150 aircraft.
This is a momentous day for Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi and represents one of the largest aircraft orders in commercial aviation history. It reflects the belief we have in the strength and pace of economic growth in the Emirate and the integral role Etihad will play in Abu Dhabi’s future. That future will see planned investments in infrastructure and projects within the Emirate likely to exceed US $200 billion during the next 10 years, an aggressive tourism push and enormous residential development. We are extremely proud to play a leading role in realising these exciting plans.
The size of our order also mirrors the rising prominence of the Middle East and its increasing emergence as the centre of global aviation and a natural air bridge between East and West.
A key selection criterion in the deals we have announced today has been the environmental performance of the aircraft.
The new generation aircraft we have ordered from Boeing and Airbus are amongst the greenest and most fuel efficient.
Not only will this maintain Etihad’s fleet as one of the youngest in the sky, it will also ensure that we have one of the most environmentally friendly fleets flying.
For more information on the aircraft orders, see tomorrow’s special edition of Etihad Today (Tuesday, July 15).
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