Airshow opens in Dubai

Etihad Chairman and CEO James Hogan was the star of yesterday’s (17 November) opening of the Dubai Air Show Alison Chambers reports. 

Mr Hogan hosted three press conferences in quick succession including the intriguing announcement that Etihad is to acquire a 33% shareholding in Swiss carrier Darwin Airways, creating Etihad Regional.

He will, in effect, be replicating the very successful relationship between Aer Lingus (Etihad has a 2.987% holding) and Aer Arann with Aer Lingus Regional.  The move is unlikely to go down well with Lufthansa who see the Gulf carriers hoovering up its traditional routes.  In the UK, Etihad will now have a presence at Cambridge and London City airports.

The Boeing 777X became firm, more or less, with Hogan leading the charge.  Etihad requires 25 and Emirates 150.  Emirates also wants 50 more A380s and will have 140 in its fleet in the years to come, nearly half of total orders.  Will some be going out on lease?  Almost as an aside Etihad ordered 50 Airbus A350 XWBs, 36 A320neos and one A330-200F.

Qatar Airways announced 50 Boeing 787s and 13 A330-200Fs from Airbus.  Mr Al Baker, Qatar's CEO, may grumble about the new Boeing but clearly likes it.  Full report next week. www.dubaiairshow.aero

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