Etihad to deploy new Dreamliners on Levant, China routes

Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad Airways has announced plans to deploy its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to Levant and far east markets in 2017.

The airline will receive nine Boeing 787-9s this year, and they will gradually be introduced on its network from March 1, Etihad said in a statement.

The 299-seat two-class Dreamliners will be deployed on daily year-round scheduled services to Amman (Jordan), Beirut (Lebanon), Beijing and Shanghai (China) and Seoul (South Korea).

The aircraft will also operate seasonally to Athens (Greece) during the summer months.

Etihad currently operates a fleet of 10 Boeing 787-9s to nine destinations including Düsseldorf, Zurich, Perth, Brisbane, Tokyo, Singapore, Riyadh, Johannesburg and Washington – from Abu Dhabi.

With a further 61 Dreamliners due to be delivered over the next few years, the 787s will become Etihad’s flagship long-haul aircraft, it said in the statement.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways CEO, said: “Since introducing our first 787 into commercial service almost two years ago, we have enjoyed excellent feedback from guests.”

Etihad Airways, which flies to over 110 desinations worldwide, is currently restructuring operations after being hit hard by reduced corporate travel linked to lower oil prices. Last year it confirmed that jobs would be cut.

Read: Abu Dhabi’s Etihad announces management restructuring

Earlier this week, the airline also announced that group CEO James Hogan would be stepping down from his role along with group CFO James Rigney later this year.

Hogan, who was previously president and CEO of Etihad Airways, served the company for 10 years.

Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, chairman of the Etihad Aviation Group said that the company will continue an “ongoing, company-wide strategic review”.

“We must ensure that the airline is the right size and the right shape,” he said.

“We must continue to improve cost efficiency, productivity and revenue. We must progress and adjust our airline equity partnerships,” he added.

Read more: Etihad group CEO James Hogan and CFO to step down