Etihad Airways Plans Major Network Expansion
Etihad Airways is set to announce a significant network expansion in the coming months, preparing to take delivery of its first Airbus A321LR. Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer Arik De revealed the plans at Routes World in Bahrain, highlighting a pivotal growth phase for the airline.
“Mark your calendars for November 25, when we will announce 11 new cities,” De stated. “Then, early next year—around January or February—we’ll unveil 20 more cities. We have a lot of growth coming.” This marks a major step in Etihad’s efforts to reshape its operations after a substantial management overhaul over the past three years.
Following a post-pandemic recovery, Etihad has increased its fleet from 65 aircraft last year to 73, and now aims for 96. “We are growing at 40% each year,” De noted, adding, “We will be bigger than we were in 2017 at some point next year.”
A key milestone in 2025 will be the arrival of Etihad’s first A321LR, which De indicated would feature lie-flat beds with all-aisle access. The A321LR will enable the airline to access new destinations where larger aircraft like the Boeing 787, 777, and A350 may be too large. Additionally, it will allow Etihad to add a third daily frequency to “a few different cities in Europe.”
“Expect a lot of destinations—secondary cities in Europe and Asia that are going to come into play,” De said, emphasizing the airline’s unique integrated fleet strategy. “We will be the only airline in the region to have that integrated fleet that allows us to transition from widebody capacity to LR capacity, offering the same product.”
In conjunction with this fleet expansion, Etihad is launching a $700 million cabin refresh for its Boeing 787s and A380s. When asked about the A380s’ longevity, De remarked, “The interior team tells me that it could go on until 2040. I don’t believe that…what I can say right now is we’ll probably be comfortably flying until 2030.”
Currently, Etihad operates seven A380s on routes including London Heathrow, New York JFK, and Paris Charles de Gaulle. The airline will add Singapore to its A380 network starting February 2025, alongside “one more destination that’s never seen it [the A380] before.”
De also hinted at plans for at least one additional U.S. destination and potential expansion into Russia. He identified Africa as a “big gap” in Etihad’s network, highlighting ongoing growth opportunities.
“We have a lot of growth coming,” De stated. “We are becoming omni-directional, but I think it’s foolish to chase too many things.” With ambitious plans and a renewed focus on expanding its reach, Etihad Airways is poised for an exciting future in the aviation market.
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