Etihad hopes to resume 'business as usual' from end of June
Etihad Airways aims to gradually ramp up scheduled passenger flights from 1 May, with the goal of returning to something resembling "business as usual" from the end of June.
However, the Abu Dhabi-based airline acknowledges that the "aviation landscape has changed" and the speed at which it can resume normal operations will depend on how quickly the world recovers from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Etihad says it plans to operate a reduced network of scheduled passenger services from 1 May until 30 June – subject to the UAE government lifting restrictions – the objective being to gradually return to a fuller schedule "as and when the global situation improves".
The UAE government suspended all passenger services on 25 March but Etihad has been operating "special" repatriation flights to a handful of cities. On these flights it is permitted to transport foreign nationals to their home countries on the outbound leg and bring back UAE nationals and cargo on the inbound service.
"While the intention is to assume a 'business as usual' approach to the restart of our operations, the aviation landscape has changed and how it will look month by month is difficult to predict," states Etihad chief executive Tony Douglas.
However, he adds that the airline is "cautiously optimistic" and will push ahead with plans to "resume normal flying". Douglas says the "unwavering support" of Etihad's shareholder – the Abu Dhabi government – puts it in "a relatively strong position to withstand any instability", and affords it the "agility to seize opportunities we may not have previously considered".
The airline has grounded 80% of its passenger fleet and is operating its repatriation and cargo services with 22 Boeing 787s and 777-300ERs, as well as five 777-200F freighters. While the rest of the fleet has remained on the ground, Etihad says it has carried out "the biggest aircraft maintenance programme in its history". This has included upgrading in-flight entertainment systems and bringing forward scheduled engine changes.
To encourage passengers who purchased tickets before 31 August to rebook rather than seek a refund, Etihad says it will provide each customer with credit amounting to the value of their original ticket, plus up to $400 and 5,000 guest miles.
Etihad also announced today that it has pushed back the launch date of its Vienna service from 2 May to 1 July. Cirium