Etihad

Tag Archives for Etihad.

Ex Ansett AirNZ CEO jets to Jet

India’s second-largest airline, Jet Airways has appointed Gary Mr Toomey as their new CEO. Commenting on the appointment, Chairman Naresh Goyal said: “We need a dynamic executive with deep knowledge of and experience in the airline industry to lead the next phase of our development. Toomey has extensive experience in domestic and international airline management, and the right credentials and skills to take Jet Airways forward.” The Toomey name won’t mean much to people outside Australia or New Zealand but in those countries he is remembered as the former chief executive of Air New Zealand-Ansett.…

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Eastern Europe Airline Update

Following on from last week’s post about Czech air, the ex European bloc airlines have not fared well since the dissolution of the former Soviet states.  In Slovakia, Slovak Airlines closed in 2007, SkyEurope 2009 and Air Slovakia in 2010 Last year, Malev, the airline of nearby Hungary collapsed and WizzAir has made continuous losses since launching in 2003 Poland’s LOT is in financial difficulties Bosnia and Herzegovina B&H Airlines was grounded briefly last month Romanian government owned TAROM has had five years of losses Croatia Airlines has lost money almost every year since commencement in 1989 and was unable to…

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Qatar joins One World

To no one’s surprise, One World announced today that British Airways will sponsor Qatar  Airways as a full member of the Alliance, a process that is expected to take between 12 and 18 months. This news is an interesting addition to the One World. The 13 airline strong alliance will count amongst its membership three five star airlines (as measured by Skytrax) : Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines and Qatar compared to Star Alliance’s two: Asiana and Singapore. One World lost two members when  Malev collapsed in 2012 and Mexicana was grounded in 2011.  Kingfisher, a would be One World members has had significant financial woes – to…

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Mid East Air Alliances: Emirates, Etihad, Qatar

The recent Qantas -Emirates partnership agreement seems to be having a flow through effect with two major announcements today. One World Alliance has been set  for a week now to announce a “significant membership development” today in NewYork. The alliance includes American Airlines, British Airways/Iberia, Cathay Pacific, LAN and Royal Jordanian. The shortlisted options are: Qatar Airways or Emirates. In the meantime, Etihad snuck in their own announcement today with a wide sweeping relationship with Air France-KLM. Etihad’s a major code-sharing arrangement is between itself and 30% owned Air Berlin (itself a new member of One World with Air France-KLM), a Skyteam founding member The code-sharing agreement is seen as…

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Tuesday Trip Report: Etihad Internet On Board

I blogged last week about Etihad‘s newly wifi equipped planes.  I did not think I would get one so quickly. I had the chance to use wifi on a flight between Abu Dhabi and London this week. I logged on with my cell phone. I found the wifi to very slow. I made a five minute Skype call, checked email, opened my Facebook and checked half a dozen posts. The service was not cheap and the cost for this browsing was $25. I would not do be in a hurry to repeat the experience unless the…

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This week: 20 to 26 February, 2012

So how was last week? This week I am back with Etihad up to the Middle East.  Am wondering what they will do with my Platinum card (last time I flew them I was Gold). In Melbourne (where I am starting my journey from), they use the Air New Zealand lounge which is a very nice one. Safe travels to you!

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Trip Report: Etihad Evaluated

Nine years ago,  Etihad did not exist. Today the airline flies over seven million people to 82 destinations in 64 planes.  They have the record for the fastest growing airline in the world and for one of the largest aircraft orders in commercial aviation history, ordering at Farmborough in 2008, 205 aircraft – 100 firm orders, 55 options and 50 purchase rights. They sponsor football fields in Australia and the UK, the Irish hurling championships, some teams and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. They have won awards for being the “World’s Leading Airline”  in 2009, 2010 and 2011. They have also…

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Etihad World #1 Airline

Etihad, the Abu Dhabi based airline has won for the third year in a row the award of World’s Leading Airline 2011. Check out of the video of the awards. The award was previously won by Singapore in 2008. Prior to that British Airways had gained the award every year from 1994 to 2007 with the exception of 2003 when Virgin Atlantic won. Other winners are listed here: http://www.worldtravelawards.com/winners2011-1 They included Qatar Airways for leading Business Class and Cathay Pacific Airways obtaining Leading Economy Class. No US airline got an award except for American Airlines for their…

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Who gets BMI?

I have always liked British Midland (BMI) and its various incarnations. Owned by Lufthansa since 2009, the loss making BMI is now up for sale. I really hoped Virgin Atlantic would be the buyer of BMI or a Virgin/ Etihad combo would hop in with an offer.  Vigin have had an interest in BMI off and on since 1999. The Virgin and BMI route networks would mesh well. Etihad are clearly looking for expansion by takeover. The major issue is that BMI is losing a lot of money. Virgin and its 49% owner Singapore, would not be keen to…

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