Etihad weighs additional Airbus A350 and A330neo order - report

Etihad Airways is in discussions with Airbus regarding a potential order for additional A350 and A330neo aircraft, with an official announcement possible at the upcoming Dubai Airshow, according to Reuters.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline is evaluating options to bolster its long-haul fleet as part of ongoing network and fleet optimization efforts.

Etihad currently holds orders for 20 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, of which nine have been delivered, and it recently committed to seven A350F freighters. Therefore, the A350-900, the most popular variant in the family, could be on the company’s radar.

The A330-900 is also likely candidate for a first order, given Etihad’s operational history with the previous generation, having operated 36 A330-200 and six A330-300 aircraft until 2020.

The choice of Airbus may bring to an end a phase in which the company expanded its fleet of Boeing widebodies, currently having 47 787 Dreamliners, divided between 37 787-9s and 10 787-10s, whose capacity is similar to that of the A330neo.

In March, Etihad placed an additional order for 28 787 and 777X aircraft with Boeing during US President Donald Trump's visit to the country.

About the Author

Ricardo Meier

Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.

Articles by the author »