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6 Amazing Things Etihad Has Been Doing Over The Past 6 Months

There may not be many planes in the sky right now, but that doesn't mean that Etihad Airways has come to a standstill. The airline has been using the time during the COVID-19 pandemic to refresh, rejuvenate, and connect the world in so many other positive and inspiring ways. Here's how.

There may not be many planes in the sky right now, but that doesn’t mean that Etihad Airways has come to a standstill. The airline has been using the time during the COVID-19 pandemic to refresh, rejuvenate, and connect the world in so many other positive and inspiring ways. Here’s how.

Right now, the qualities of innovation, resilience and adaptation are priceless, and Etihad has been riding the wave of the COVID-19 storm and focusing its energy on connecting the world in more creative ways.

Over the last six months, the airline has been working hard and looking at new ways to provide safe and secure travel for its guests in the future.

Let’s take a look at the wonderful things Etihad has been up to, during these unprecedented times…

1. A refreshed and enhanced fleet

Etihad Airways

With 80 per cent of its passenger fleet on the ground at the height of travel restrictions, Etihad has embarked on the biggest aircraft maintenance programme in its history.

Etihad Engineering, the group’s Engineering Maintenance Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) division is performing maintenance work on 96 passenger aircraft including 29 Airbus A320 and A321s, 10Airbus A380s, 38 Boeing 787s, and 19 Boeing 777-300ERs.

The programme ranges from minor maintenance tasks, such as seat repairs and updates to Inflight Entertainment Systems, to bringing forward scheduled engine changes and modifications on several aircraft, eliminating the need to withdraw them from service when flights begin operating again.

To date, this work has seen almost 19,000 seat covers laundered, and over 40 rolls of new carpets and 367 metres of leather used.

Furthermore, approximately 5,000 aircraft touch points have been checked, and more than 4,000 parts fabricated through the engineering workshop

Pretty impressive, don’t you think?

2. Etihad has launched its very own Wellness Programme

Etihad Airways has launched ‘Etihad Wellness’, an expanded and more comprehensive health and hygiene programme and customer guide, that builds on the stringent measures already put in place by the airline to deal with COVID-19.

The programme is being championed by the introduction of specially trained Wellness Ambassadors, a first in the industry, who will provide essential travel health information and care so guests can fly with greater peace of mind.

Etihad Wellness initiatives are being communicated through an easy-to-use online guide highlighting the high standards of cleanliness, health, and hygiene being applied at every stage of the customer journey.

3. Etihad operated special repatriation flights

Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways has operated as many as 108 special flights as part of the repatriation program working alongside the UAE and foreign governments, to get passengers where they need to be.

4. Supporting frontline heroes

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, Etihad Airways has continued to deliver vital supplies and critically required goods safely and securely, with over 65 flights a month delivering over 400 tonnes of medical supplies benefitting over 35,000 individuals on the front line.

5. Feeding local communities

Etihad Airways

Etihad Catering has also continued to operate, providing over 15,000 high-quality meals a day to staff and communities in need, in the UAE.

EAS Catering is also delivering amenities and providing a laundry service for Etihad employees living in temporary isolation at Masdar City so as to operate essential freighter and repatriation flights. These include loadmasters, cargo agents, pilots, and cabin crew.

6. Keeping people connected during lockdown

Etihad Airways

The Etihad Home digital program has been bringing the world to its guests, with content from the airline’s Flying Nannies, Inflight Chefs, and Crew with tips on keeping the kids entertained to recipes to learning a language.

So there you have it; sunshine through the clouds and some feel-good news to tide you over until we can fly high, once more.

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READ: Etihad Airways Launch Online COVID-19 Risk Assessment Tool For Travellers

READ: Etihad Airways Launches Health & Hygiene Program With New Wellness Ambassadors