Just got the info that one of GF's A320s is being returned to its lessor, Oasis Int'l from AUH. Yep, that's exactly what it seems. Etihad is from AUH as well. Official info mentions lease price increase. Now, are you sure there are no politics involved in this? I'm not.
Point is that for 1 month now the whole traning/upgrade plan has been suspended. Heard that the Birmingham flight will not T/O as well. 1 A320 less in the fleet means less upgrades and so on...
And to add to this scenario, Jimmy Hogan's and his crew contract ends in July/2005. Word on the street is that the'll be leaving for greener pastures.
Only time will tell what will happen with the Golden Falcon, but the outlook so far is not exactly good, is it?
Cheers