Not related but general info;
15th November 2003
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways is to launch its first flight on Wednesday, positioning itself as a luxury airline despite a global industry decline. Etihad, owned by the government of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is starting with a fleet of two leased Airbus A330-200s and plans to acquire up to eight more Airbus aircraft to fly to 16 destinations by next year. The airline, with a capital of 500 million dirhams (USD$136.2 million), will invest one billion dirhams over the next five years and will operate on a commercial basis, officials said. Frills and superior service offered by the airline include an in-flight kitchen to prepare meals served on fine cutlery and a high ratio of flight attendants per passenger. Etihad is the fourth airline in the UAE, joining the ranks of regional carrier Gulf Air -- in which Abu Dhabi's government has a stake -- Dubai-owned Emirates, and newly launched budget carrier Air Arabia.