Etihad Airways' low-cost joint venture with Air Arabia will start operations by the second quarter of next year from Abu Dhabi, according to the airline's boss.
Tony Douglas, chief executive of Etihad,told reporters during the Dubai Airshow on Monday there are more upcoming announcements about the venture in two to three weeks.
"At the end of the first quarter or second quarter next year, if you want to be on one of these aircraft, that will be the opportunity will be there for you," Mr Douglas said, declining to reveal the destinations. "What we'll see is connectivity from Abu Dhabi using Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, which is going to great for the traveling public and great for Etihad and we're really excited about it."
Etihad Airways, which has been in the red for the last three years consecutively, has a "long way to go" to become profitable, Mr Douglas said.
The airline said it will have a total of 51 Boeing 787 Dreamliners by 2023. It currently has 36 of the wide-body model and will take delivery of the 37th plane next week.
Etihad is teaming up with Boeing for an 'eco partnership' that will use one of its 787 planes to test products, procedures and initiatives that aim to reduce aircraft carbon emissions.
The Etihad Greenliner, the specially-themed eco-friendly jet, will fly in January 2020 to Brussels.
Lessons from the test-bed will be used across Etihad's fleet and the knowledge will be shared industry-wide, Mr Douglas said.
"It's a small step for the industry, but a giant leap for Etihad," he said.
The Greenliner will start with flights to Brussels but also be used to operate on all of Etihad's 787 destinations and have a social media presence for the public to follow the flight course.
The eco-friendly operation, which will include using biofuels and reducing weight on the aircraft, will result in improvements in fuel burn.
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Dubai Airshow day one
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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, right, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attend the opening day of the Dubai Airshow 2019. Courtesy: Mohamed bin Zayed / Twitter -
The Ruler of Dubai visits the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace hub. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed - once a pilot in the UAE Air Force - visits a manufacturer's stand. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed - once a pilot in the UAE Air Force - visits a manufacturer's stand. Leslie Pableo for The National -
VIPs and dignitaries were among the firs t of an estimated 90,000 visitors to the show at Dubai World Central this week. Leslie Pableo for The National -
The week sees major announcements and deals between companies and governments. Leslie Pableo for The National -
A twin-rotor helicopter on the tarmac at DWC. Leslie Pableo for The National -
The Saudi Hawks aerobatic team and the Patrouille Acrobatique de France, the precision aerobatics demonstration unit of the French Air Force, performed live displays for visitors. Leslie Pableo for The National -
The UAE's homegrown defence companies feature prominently at the show. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Aviation and aerospace are a large facet of the UAE’s economic transformation strategy as it diversifies away from oil. Leslie Pableo for The National -
The fleet size of commercial aircraft operators from all regions serving the UAE is forecast to nearly treble to some 1,730 aircraft by 2038 from around 630 today. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Aerobatic jet crews from air forces around the world are in Dubai this week. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Visitors test out the new Boeing business class seat. Leslie Pableo for The National -
The show is a marvel of military and civilian aircraft. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Visitors at the Dubai Airshow 2019 at Al Maktoum International Airport. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Performance jets zoom over Dubai World Cental on Sunday. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Performance jets zoom over Dubai World Cental on Sunday. Leslie Pableo for The National -
The Edge stand at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Inside the Boeing stand at the Dubai Airshow 2019. Leslie Pableo for The National -
The Emirates airshow performance. Leslie Pableo for The National -
The Edge stand at the Dubai Airshow 2019. Leslie Pableo for The National
