Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and CIRTA Electro Mechanical and Maintenance, a Khalifa Fund member, have signed an AED 8 million agreement that will see CIRTA develop customised software for the airline's cabin crew transport system.
The agreement was recently signed at the Etihad Airways Centre in Abu Dhabi by Robert Webb, Etihad Airways' Chief Information & Technology Officer, and Abdulla Al Shammari, Chief Executive Officer of CIRTA Electro Mechanical and Maintenance.
Mr Webb said: "CIRTA's software will be tailored to Etihad Airways' unique specifications and will significantly improve the crew transportation routes for travel to Abu Dhabi airport.
"The automatic optimisation system will analyse flight departure times for the crew, identify their locations in Abu Dhabi, schedule pick-up time and produce an optimised transportation route.
"This will increase the efficiency in the transport management system and decrease the number of buses needed. The system will deliver an ideal one-stop solution that will help reduce transportation costs, lower fuel usage, and lower CO2 emissions."
Mr Al Shammari said: "This agreement opens the doors for CIRTA to enter the local market and support one of the leading companies in the region. We look forward to providing Etihad Airways with a world-class service and software."
H E Abdullah Al Darmaki, Chief Executive Officer of Khalifa Fund, said: "By awarding contracts to Khalifa Fund members, Etihad Airways is supporting the growth of the UAE, improving standards of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), and encouraging competition in the market.
"Government and semi-government entities should follow this example and give SMEs support and encouragement to enable them to play their role in the development of the national economy."
Etihad Airways' procurement department also hosted a workshop to familiarise more than 70 Khalifa Fund members with the airline procurement procedures.
Adil Al-Mulla, Etihad Airways' Vice President Procurement and Supply Management, said: "The workshop introduced Khalifa Fund entrepreneurs to our business which will increase their opportunities to bid for further contracts with the airline.
"As the national airline of the UAE we are committed to supporting our community, including small and medium size enterprises across the country."
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2013 carried 11.5 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to 111 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 111 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 70 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and nine Airbus A380s.
Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, Aer Lingus, Air Serbia, Jet Airways and Alitalia, and is in the process of formalising an equity investment in Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline. Etihad Airways, airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Jet Airways and Etihad Regional also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand that brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits.
For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com
For more information contact:
Ahlam F. Al Marzooqi
Corporate Communications Manager
Etihad Airways
Dir: + 971 2 511 3407
Email: ahlamm@etihad.ae
© Press Release 2015
