Abu-Dhabi based Etihad Airways announced a major deal with Airbus for 32 wide-body aircraft, including A330neo, A350-900, A350-1000, and A350F models. The aircraft will be obtained through a combination of direct orders and lease commitments, with first deliveries beginning in 2027.
Etihad’s Strategy
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Securing 32 additional wide-bodies – with deliveries beginning in 2027 – demonstrates Etihad’s ability to move fast, secure scarce delivery positions, and stay ahead of global capacity constraints. These commitments ensure we can continue our growth trajectory, deliver more premium experiences, and bring even more visitors to Abu Dhabi.
“These agreements reflect our confidence in Abu Dhabi’s aviation future and our commitment to positioning the emirate as one of the world’s leading hubs. Etihad’s incredible growth, underpinned by strategic fleet investments, continues to deliver sustainable value while bringing millions of visitors to Abu Dhabi each year. Our partnership with Airbus remains central to achieving our long-term vision.
“These aircraft strengthen our operations across medium-haul, long-haul, and cargo. The A330neo brings the right combination of efficiency and flexibility for our regional and mid-range growth, while the A350-1000 continues to deliver exceptional performance on our long-haul network. The A350F freighter adds significant capability to our cargo division as global demand continues to expand.
Airbus Partnership
“Our partnership with Airbus continues to play an important role in shaping our future fleet, and we are proud to be building one of the world’s most modern and efficient wide-body operations. With 60 new wide-body aircraft ordered this year across Airbus and Boeing, we are building one of the most modern, efficient and flexible long-haul fleets in the world, said Neves.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business, said: “Etihad Airways’ continued investment in our latest-generation wide-body aircraft is a testament to the strength of our partnership and the shared vision we have for the future of aviation in the UAE and beyond. The combination of the A350 Family and A330neo will deliver unmatched efficiency and flexibility to Etihad’s operations, supporting its future development.”
Avalon Leasing
Avalon has agreed to lease 13 Airbus aircraft from its order book to Etihad Airways, including nine A330neo and four A320neo aircraft. Etihad also placed an order directly with Airbus for six additional A330neo aircraft.
Andy Cronin, CEO of Avolon, stated, “Etihad’s selection of the A330neo is a strong endorsement for the program and reflects the high level of demand from airlines for wide-body capacity. 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. We are delighted to increase our exposure to a top-tier carrier like Etihad as the Middle East continues to expand as an aviation hub.”
Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said,“Avolon has been a valued partner in supporting the evolution of our fleet, and these additional A330neo and A320neo family aircraft give us the flexibility and efficiency we need for the next phase of our growth. The A330neo will play a key role in strengthening our medium-haul network, while the A320neo family supports our short-haul expansion and enhances connectivity through Abu Dhabi. We look forward to deepening our partnership with Avolon as we continue to build a modern, efficient fleet.”
The Bottom Line
Etihad will expand its wide-body fleet with leases providing short-term deliveries and new orders from Airbus providing long-term deliveries. This combination will fuel Etihad’s growth plans in the near and longer-term while adding the A330-900 to its fleet that are right sized for routes to Asia and other destinations.
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