Etihad takes possession of Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner

(Image: Supplied by Etihad)

UAE national carrier Etihad Airways has expanded its fleet by recently taking possession of a new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner.

The aircraft landed at Abu Dhabi International airport on Friday, October 13. Following a check by Etihad’s engineering team, it started flying guests on October 15.

The delivery of the Dreamliner took place exactly three years to the day since Etihad took possession of its last Boeing 787-10 on October 13, 2020.

“The arrival of our latest 787 Dreamliner underlines our passion to grow this year by enhancing the quality of our customer experience and the reach of our network,” said Antonoaldo Neves, chief executive officer of Etihad Airways. “This is all part of our vision 2030 supporting our growth as underlined by the new destinations to Osaka, Copenhagen and Dusseldorf we began operating two weeks ago.”

More 787 Dreamliner aircraft expected

The new aircraft is one of four Boeing 787 Dreamliners expected to be delivered this year.

Etihad said that the latest aircraft are up to 25 per cent more fuel efficient than several comparable aircraft of their size.

Recently, the airline commenced operations to Dusseldorf on September 28, followed the next day by Copenhagen and then Osaka on October 1.

It has also ramped up frequencies on other routes – notably Kuala Lumpur where a second daily flight will resume on January 15, providing passengers with 14 flights per week between Abu Dhabi and Malaysia’s capital.

Long-haul services are being boosted too. Etihad plans to operate a four-times-weekly service to Boston from March 31, 2024. It will be the carrier’s fourth destination in the United States, joining Chicago, New York and Washington, along with services to Toronto in Canada.

Earlier this year, it also brought its Airbus A380 superjumbos back into service. A total of four A380s are being brought reinstated to the fleet to meet surging demand.

Simultaneously, the airline is planning a phased move of its operations to the new Terminal A at Abu Dhabi International airport starting next month.

Read: This Bollywood icon is the new brand ambassador of Etihad

This article was originally published on Business Traveller Middle East