Statement two
Etihad Airways is continuing to liaise closely with aircraft manufacturer Airbus and the French authorities following damage to an Airbus A340-600 type aircraft at the manufacturer's headquarters in Toulouse, France.
The airline has been made aware that a number of people have been taken to hospital following the ground incident in which the aircraft sustained significant airframe damage during routine engine performance tests.
Etihad Airways chief executive James Hogan said: "I am deeply concerned to hear about injuries following this incident and my sympathies are with those in hospital and their families.
"I remain in contact with my team in France, as well as Airbus, in order to keep fully informed of the latest developments."
Etihad Airways' Paris based country manager for France is en route to the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse.
The aircraft involved in the incident was undergoing pre-delivery tests. It was scheduled to be delivered next week to Etihad Airways' Abu Dhabi base.
-Ends-
For more information, please contact:
Etihad Airways Corporate Communications
Iain Burns
Tel: +971 0 50 818 7758
Leo Seaton
Tel: +971 0 50 812 0701
Anne Tullis
Tel: +971 0 50 818 7794
Paul Parry
Tel: +971 0 50 812 0801
Heba El Iman
Tel: +971 0 50 818 0753
© Press Release 2007
