Etihad Airways has signed a contract with New York-based CIT Aerospace for the lease of two new Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
The two A330-200s, the aircraft which forms the backbone of the Etihad fleet, are scheduled for delivery in January and March 2009 and will replace two aircraft currently leased by Etihad.
The deal, which means that Etihad is now CIT Aerospace's largest customer in the Middle East, was signed by the airline's chief executive James Hogan and C. Jeffrey Knittel, president of CIT Transportation Finance.
Mr Hogan said: "Etihad continues to grow at an impressive rate and the introduction of the two new CIT-leased A330-200s into the fleet will have a major impact because they can operate on both our long and short haul flights."
Etihad Airways currently has 12 A330-200s in its fleet and a further three will be added by the end of 2007.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline also placed an order with Airbus in June for 12 new aircraft, which included five A330 passenger aircraft.
CIT Aerospace owns or finances a fleet of more than 300 aircraft. Approximately seven per cent of CIT's fleet is located in the Middle East.
Mr Knittel said: "This transaction reflects increased demand for passenger air travel in the Middle East and the continued growth of Etihad Airways. Etihad is a dynamic organisation and we look forward to building our relationship with the UAE's national airline in the years ahead."
-Ends-
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi.
Currently Etihad offers flights to 45 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.
About CIT Aerospace
CIT Aerospace provides financing solutions to a broad spectrum of the global aerospace value chain ranging from operators of commercial and business aircraft to manufacturers and suppliers in the aerospace and defence industries as well as financial institutions.
For further details:
Etihad Airways Corporate Communications:
Tel: + 971 (0) 2 505 8006 / 8336 / 8055 or visit www.etihadairways.com
Mustafa Al-Sheikhly
Account executive - Four Middle East
Four Communications Group
PO Box 502099, Office 420, Building 8
Dubai Media City, Dubai , UAE
T. +971 4369 3542
F. +971 4 362 5358
M. +971 50 422 9101
E. mustafa.al-sheikhly@fourcommunications.com
W. http://www.fourcommunications.com
© Press Release 2007
