28 February 2008

Abu Dhabi: Etihad AirwaysEtihad Airways plans to launch services to Almaty and Moscow this year, CEO James Hogan said yesterday.

"Last year, we launched nine new routes and our network development will continue this year. We look forward to launching services to Beijing at the end of March - our first route in China," Hogan said at the Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit.

"This will be followed later in the year by Almaty and Moscow."

EtihadEtihad offers flights to 45 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Hogan said EtihadEtihad has obtained rights to fly to another four Indian cities - Jaipur, Chennai, Kolkata and Kozhikode, in addition to four existing routes -Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai and Delhi.

He said EtihadEtihad has made no secret of the fact that "we are currently in discussions with airframe manufacturers that will lead to us placing a further substantial order later this year to take us through to 2020."

EtihadEtihad recently said it is in talks with Airbus and Boeing to order between 50 and 100 aircraft as it seeks to turn Abu Dhabi into a global travel hub.

The carrier expects to receive the planes between 2013 and 2020. EtihadEtihad operated 37 aircraft in 2007.

"We project a 53 strong fleet by the end of 2011, 38 wide bodied aircraft and 12 narrow bodies," said Hogan.

Hogan said the airline does not receive government subsidies or guarantees, nor does it benefit from free or discounted airport and fuel costs. EtihadEtihad has a mandate to break even by 2010.

"We hedge fuel. We borrow money from financial markets. There are no free kicks," said Hogan.

By Himendra Mohan Kumar

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