Etihad Airways and Boeing have announced a strategic partnership centred on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which will focus on innovation, cost efficiency and minimising the impact of aviation on the environment.Â
The Abu Dhabi-based airline operates 36 Dreamliners and will reach 50 per cent by 2023.
In an announcement at the 2019 Dubai International Air Show, Tony Douglas, the Group Chief Executive of Etihad Aviation Group, and Stanley Deal, Executive Vice President of The Boeing Company, and President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, signed an agreement through which the companies will share knowledge, experience and resources to continuously improve the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and reduce aircraft carbon emissions.
The partnership will be underpinned by commercial and technical agreements valued at approximately AED 800 million ($US 215 million) encompassing a broad range of services including a landing gear overhaul program, high value airframe components, and maintenance planning optimisation tools.
Mr Douglas said: “Innovation, productivity and sustainability are core values and objectives of Etihad Airways, and of Abu Dhabi, and the Boeing 787 is a key enabler of all three. Etihad and Boeing see great opportunities to share our combined knowledge of this incredible aircraft, and to work with other aviation stakeholders to explore opportunities for more innovation and less environmental impact.”
Mr Deal said: “The 787 Dreamliner and its revolutionary design have enabled carriers such as Etihad Airways to significantly reduce fuel use and emissions. It is the perfect platform for advancing our industry’s commitment to sustainable growth. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Etihad Airways and identifying more ways to improve efficiency across commercial aviation.”
The companies commit to build upon the technical capabilities which Etihad has developed to support both its own 787 Dreamliners, and those of a growing number of other operators, as well as engineer exchanges with a focus on further developing the skills and experience of UAE nationals.
Activities under discussion include training for pilots, cabin crew and maintenance technicians, secondment of pilots between Etihad, Boeing, and other operators, and development in Abu Dhabi of Maintenance and Repair Organisation capabilities for the type.
