Etihad places US$2.2 billion order for 12 new Airbus aircraft

Paris, June 20th, 2007 (WAM)---Etihad Airways has placed an order withAirbus worth US$2.2 billion at list prices for 12 new wide-body aircraftwhich includes four A340-600s, five A330 passenger aircraft and threeA330 freighters.

The agreement was signed today by James Hogan, Etihad Airways' chief executiveand Louis Gallois, Airbus president and CEO.

The new aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2008 and 2011 andupon completion will increase the UAE national airline's fleet to 42 aircraft.

The four A340-600 aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 500 enginesand powerplants for the eight A330 aircraft will be chosen in the nexttwo months.

James Hogan, said: "This aircraft order will enable Etihad to continueits impressive route network growth which now stands at 43 global destinations.

Each new Airbus aircraft within the new order has been specifically chosento fit our ambitious development plans."The Abu Dhabi-based airline continues to expand its network and this yearhas launched flights to Kuala Lumpur, Kochi (Cochin), Thiruvananthapuram(Trivandrum) and Sydney, with Dublin set to join in July and Milan andSingapore in September.

In addition to the purchase of the 12 new aircraft, Etihad has decidedto defer the delivery of its four Airbus A380s. The order for the A380swas made in 2004, with the first delivery expected in 2009.

Hogan added: "We have agreed to defer the A380 delivery date with Airbusto 2013 when our business model and global route network will be bettersuited to competitive commercial opportunities offered by this aircraft."Louis Gallois, Airbus President and CEO, added: "Etihad is one of theworld's leading airlines and we are delighted to build on our partnership.""I am particularly proud about Etihad's faith in our A340 aircraft whichoffers outstanding performance and unparalleled levels of passenger comfort.

I am also delighted that Etihad continues to support the A330, the leadingaircraft type in this sector."Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan, Etihad Airways' chairman, said "Thegrowing Etihad fleet creates a greater platform for a more effective internationalroute network to support business and tourism development in Abu Dhabiand the UAE. I am very proud of the airline's contribution to help AbuDhabi's aspirations to be a commercial and cultural centre in the MiddleEast."Etihad's fleet currently consists of 26 aircraft: 12 x Airbus A330-2004 x Airbus A340- 5001 x Airbus A340-3005 x Boeing 777-300 ER1 x Boeing 767-3003 x Airbus A300-600S (freighter)*Still to arrive in 2007:4 x Airbus A330-200 (June, July, August, October)4 x Airbus A340-600 (July, August, October, November)Etihad currently has 3,848 members of staff which includes 198 captainsand 198 first officers, a pilot total of 396.