Etihad to start flying A380 and B787 in December

Etihad Airways has confirmed the start of Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operations in December 2014, with additional flights on sale this week for both aircraft and a pilot training programme now underway.

In a statement, the airline said that, during its first year of operations, the A380 will be deployed on three daily flights between Abu Dhabi and London, along with selected flights to Sydney.

Between December 2014 and June 2015, the Boeing 787-9 will be introduced on six of the airline’s routes, including Düsseldorf, Doha, Washington DC, Mumbai, Brisbane and Moscow.

Etihad said it will also introduce The Residence by Etihad, which features the only three-room cabin in the sky.

James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “Our initial Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flights have been on sale for almost four months and demand has exceeded our expectations, showing that the public share our passion for comfort, service, hospitality and style.

“The Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9 will play a fundamental role in the development of Etihad Airways’ network. On existing high demand routes such as London and Sydney, the A380 will provide additional seats and meet demand for increased capacity, especially in First and Business Class. The Boeing 787-9 will be used to launch flights to new destinations, add capacity in existing markets and progressively replace existing, less-efficient aircraft.”

Etihad has a total of 10 Airbus A380s on firm order, the first of which will be delivered later this year. Each Airbus A380 is designed to carry 496 passengers. The airline has 71 Boeing 787s on order, including 41 B787-9s and 30 B787-10s, making it the world’s largest operator of the aircraft type.

New ambulance service for employees

Etihad Airways on Thursday launched an ambulance service to provide an emergency medical response facility for its employees in Abu Dhabi.
 
Based at the Etihad Airways Medical Centre in Etihad Plaza, the high-tech ambulance provides a 24/7 emergency medical service for the airline’s employees in the capital.
 
Operated by Abu Dhabi’s National Ambulance, the service is staffed by professionally trained and experienced emergency medical technicians.
 
Ray Gammell, Etihad Airways Chief People and Performance Officer, said, "The launch of this unique service is part of our expanding employee healthcare programme, aimed at providing our employees with the right care at the right time.
 
"The new ambulance joins a range of best-in-class services for our employees, which support their health and wellbeing, and include fitness programmes, family visa application assistance, children’s education assistance and an on-site nursery."
 
The ambulance is fitted with modern medical emergency equipment and supplies, including heart defibrillators, oxygen cylinders, intravenous drips, spinal and traction splints, foldable stretchers and medicines.
 
Dr. Nadia Bastaki, Etihad Airways Vice President of Medical Services, said, "In a medical emergency, we recognise the importance of providing a rapid response. Treatment starts as soon as the patient is onboard the ambulance and continues on the journey to the hospital."
 
 

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