It may not be in full service yet, but that didn't stop the world's biggest passenger plane, the Airbus A380 super jumbo, soaring into Abu Dhabi yesterday. Cloudy weather over the capital, though, reduced visibility somewhat, and, after its first runway fly past, the A380 was temporarily delayed, apparently because of a helicopter, which strayed into its airspace.
However, the A380 eventually landed safely and taxi'd to a stop alongside an A340-500, which was dwarfed by its larger cousin. The double-decker plane was partially decked in Etihad livery, as part of a publicity exercise during which Etihad showed off its new diamond class interior on board one of its recently delivered Airbus A340-500s. Etihad's diamond zone suite includes a seat that rotates 180 degrees enabling 'guests' to dine, meet and chat with one another, in addition to the seat's 'air theatre' in the form of a 23-inch personal LCD video screen.
The A380, though, was the main attraction at the event. It's currently on heat-testing exercises in Al Ain and yesterday treated UAE residents to a low level fly-past across a number of emirates, including Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, before touching down in the capital. "We are paying particular attention to the heat-testing because a significant amount of the order book comes from this region. We are going to submit the aircraft and all its system to the hot weather for the rest of the week," said Airbus flight test engineer, Jackie Joye, during a press conference, later.
Habib Fekih, president of Airbus Middle East, was also on hand to confirm the company would be making compensation payments for the delayed delivery of the controversial new aircraft. "Airbus will be paying compensation to our customers as per the contract," he said. Etihad's acting CEO, Geert Boven, said the airline was happy to go with the agreed compensation, but that no further delays would be welcomed.
"Compensation will be awarded, and from that point of view, we will go strictly according to the contract. We are very confident that Airbus will deliver our planes as per the delayed schedule, but not to be further delayed," he said. On the suitability of airport runways for landing and take off, Fekih said most main airports and those in the Gulf, were already suitable.
"The aircraft has taken off and landed at Al Ain and Abu Dhabi without any special preparations," he said. "The main modifications at airports are in dealing with passenger services. Some airports have elected to add second floor sky-bridges for the upper deck, as in Dubai." Abu Dhabi International Airport is currently building an extension to the existing terminal, which will include another eight gates. They are due for completion by October 2007.
"Initially there will be two gates for the A380, and in 2012 the new airport, with a midfield terminal, will be built with a single deck access to the aircraft. But the gates that are being built will be able to access both decks," Geert said. He added that Etihad, which has ordered four A380s, was not looking to place more orders for the moment. "We are looking at different aircraft, as there are a number on the drawing board, both at Airbus and Boeing," Geert said. "In order to be able to reach our target of 70 destinations from Abu Dhabi by 2010, we will have to order more aircraft".
Geert said the airline was in business to make a profit, which meant it had to make sure that high fuel costs were compensated for and that Etihad would remain in-line with its competitors on fuel surcharges. "Of course fuel prices do concern us, but then it is a fact of life and it concerns everyone," he said. "We are looking very actively together with the manufacturers at more efficient forms of operation. We want more efficient aircraft and the manufacturers are looking at using lighter materials, so I think it is a joint effort from the aircraft makers and the airlines to make sure that we will be able to bring down the weight of the aircraft and so bring down the costs."
Fekih assured that Airbus' relationships with its Middle East customers remained strong, despite the delays.
"Our partners, particularly in this region, have been very patient, understanding and supportive. The whole challenge is to work together to develop new lighter products, new engines and new systems to reduce further the cost of operation, reduce fuel burn and it is a joint effort, a continuous effort,"he said.
© 7Days 2006
