Etihad chief visits Boeing factory
Etihad Airways’ President & CEO, James Hogan, today visited Boeing’s production facility in the US, to see how work was progressing on its new B777 and B787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Hogan led a delegation of Etihad and airberlin executives on a one-day visit to the Washington state facility. In March the two carriers announced plans to integrate their Dreamliner programmes, with Etihad taking 41 and airberlin 15 of the carriers’ combined 56-aircraft order.
“For both carriers the Dreamliner’s arrival will be a positive milestone for two strategically aligned partners, who are looking to successfully work with Boeing on our integrated fleet programme,” said Hogan.
“Already we are sharing infrastructure, streamlining our purchasing activity for engines, rotables, avionics and in-flight entertainment systems, and are also hard at work on common onboard product specifications for our respective brands which will give passengers a consistent product experience.”
The first of Etihad’s Dreamliners is expected to be delivered in the last quarter of 2014, but before this, the Abu Dhabi-based airline will take delivery of seven B777-300ERs, plus two B777-200 freighters.
“Looking beyond the current 777 and Dreamliner orders, Etihad Airways has had constructive discussions with Boeing today about future plans for new wide-body fleet types,” Hogan revealed.