ETIHAD AIRWAYS-AIRBERLIN B787 INTEGRATION TAKES PARTNERSHIP TO NEW LEVEL

Etihad Airways and airberlin have announced plans to integrate their Boeing 787 Dreamliner programs, affecting a total of 56 firm aircraft – which is more Dreamliners than are on order with any other airline – and saving millions of dollars for both carriers.

A combined Etihad Airways-airberlin team, led by Etihad Airways, will oversee the integration program, which will see the two airlines share infrastructure, pool maintenance, develop joint training programs, and streamline purchasing activity for engines, rotables, avionics and inflight entertainment systems, as well as work jointly on product development for the new aircraft type.

Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan, said: “This program is the first of a range of initiatives that will bring significant cost synergies and savings for both airlines.

“It is an ideal solution for reducing the costs associated with the introduction of a new aircraft type, and an excellent example of the value of our partnership, enabling Etihad Airways and airberlin to achieve economies of scale and avoid duplication in areas like design and certification.

“It makes both operational and commercial sense to work together on common fleet issues and we expect the synergies we achieve through this integration to result in significant efficiency benefits for both airlines.

“We will also be able to deliver a level of commonality across our B787 fleets in relation to onboard cabin specifications, which will provide passengers with a consistent product experience when they travel across the airlines’ extensive networks.”

Chief Executive Officer of airberlin, Mr Hartmut Mehdorn, said:  “Together with our strategic partner Etihad Airways, airberlin saw an opportunity to work as a team in developing the introduction into service of this innovative aircraft.

“airberlin is already the most fuel efficient network carrier in Europe and has brought down fuel consumption in 2011 to the record value of 3,5 litres/100 passenger kilometres. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the perfect match to our eco-efficient fleet and we are hugely impressed by the improved fuel efficiencies which this aircraft delivers and look forward to making the next step of fuel efficient flying.”

In December 2011 Etihad Airways increased its stake in airberlin to 29.21 per cent, making it the single biggest shareholder in Europe’s sixth largest airline.

The move came just days after Etihad Airways announced it was buying 10 more B787-9 Dreamliners, taking its total order to 41, with 25 options and purchasing rights, making the UAE flag carrier the largest operator of the aircraft type in the world.

airberlin has 15 B787s on order with options and purchase rights on a further 15 aircraft. Delivery will begin in 2015.

About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, began operations in 2003, and in 2011 carried 8.3 million passengers. From its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad Airways serves 84 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, with a fleet of 66 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and 100 aircraft on order, including 10 Airbus A380s, the world’s largest passenger aircraft. Etihad Airways also owns nearly 30 per cent of airberlin, Europe’s sixth largest airline, and 40 per cent of Air Seychelles. For more information, please visit: www.etihadairways.com

About airberlin
airberlin is Germany’s second largest airline. The company has a workforce of 9,200 employees. In 2010 alone, airberlin received over 10 awards for service and quality. The fleet comprises 170 aircraft with an average age of five years, making it one of the most modern fleets in Europe. The airline's state-of-the-art jets are highly fuel efficient, which contributes toward a long-term reduction in pollution emissions from aircraft. As one of the major European airlines, airberlin flies to 162 destinations in 40 countries. In 2011, over 35 million passengers were transported. On 20th March 2012, airberlin becomes a full member of the global airline alliance oneworld®. airberlin operates codeshare flights with oneworld members American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Royal Jordanian, S7 and Japan Airlines. In December 2011, airberlin entered into a strategic partnership with Etihad Airways.