Etihad Cites Delivery Slots In Move For Airbus A330neos At Dubai

DUBAI—Etihad Airways outlined a major expansion of its Airbus widebody fleet at Dubai Airshow, including 15 Airbus A330neos, which will begin arriving in 2027.

The Abu Dhabi carrier, which is already an A350 operator, has placed a firm order for six A330-900s with the manufacturer. It is also leasing nine of the type from lessor Avolon. In striking the deal, the carrier says it has secured some of the last remaining early widebody delivery slots.

Etihad also added orders for a further seven A350-1000s, taking its commitment to the widebody to 27, as well as increasing its Airbus freighter commitments from seven to 10 A350Fs. In total, Etihad plans to invest $10 billion in new aircraft over the next five years.

While detailing fresh commitments covering 25 widebodies during the show, Etihad says it has secured 32 additional Airbus widebodies overall. This adds to the 28 Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft it ordered earlier this year, taking Etihad’s total widebody commitments this year to 60.

The fresh Airbus aircraft will enable further growth at the carrier. Etihad had set out on a strategy of reaching a fleet of 160 aircraft and carrying 30 million passengers by 2030. “We have been revisiting the plan a lot based on what we have seen in the market.”

“With this [new commitment] we now have the capacity to get to 200 planes by 2030 and probably about 37 million passengers,” Etihad Airways Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves said Nov. 18.

“The A330neo brings the right combination of efficiency and flexibility for our regional and mid-range growth,” he said, noting there is a “sweet spot” for the type within its network.

Etihad will take delivery of the A330neos from Avolon in 2027 and 2028. Neves stressed that this timing was key for the airline. “Getting the aircraft in 2027 is worth much more to us,” he said.

“It is not about changing our network strategy,” he said of the decision to bring the additional widebody type in. “We are strengthening the network. The value of this plane because of the timing and performance is it going to allow us to release aircraft to other missions,” he said.

Avolon, a launch customer for the A330neo and with 87 of the type in its owned and committed fleet, is also leasing four A320neos to Etihad.

Avolon CEO Andy Cronin said, “The scale of our order book, bolstered by our order for 75 A321neos and 15 A330neos in July, has enabled us to ensure Etihad has the capacity required for its expansion plans.”

In detailing the follow-on A350-1000 commitment, Neves also highlighted the performance of the type, saying it is “doing phenomenally” with Etihad. “It is our most important aircraft in terms of range and capability,” Neves said. 

In its narrowbody fleet, Etihad continues to take A321LRs. Seven have been delivered so far and three more are expected to arrive before the end of the year. Neves pointed out that “the narrowbody engine situation is much better than a year ago.”

But managing the fleet is still hard work, Neves said. The airline has a fleet committee meeting every week to handle deliveries or any changes.

Etihad has announced services to 31 new destinations over the last year, but Neves does not envisage any further big route announcements in the short term. “Now is execution time,” he said.