Etihad Airways (EY, Abu Dhabi International) is currently engaged in “exploratory” discussions with both Airbus and Boeing regarding a potential new order for large widebody aircraft, as reported by Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources.
The Emirati flag carrier is weighing options between the A350 and B777X models; however, sources indicated that these discussions are not expected to reach a conclusion anytime soon. There is also a possibility that the airline may decide not to place an order at all.
Etihad Airways is already a customer for both types of large widebody aircraft. The airline operates five A350-1000s and has firm orders for an additional fifteen, along with seven A350 freighters. Furthermore, it has orders for eight B777-8s and seventeen B777-9s, with its existing B777 fleet consisting of five B777-200 freighters and nine B777-300ERs. Etihad’s widebody fleet additionally includes ten A380-800s (of which only five are currently in service), thirty-three B787-9s (with eight more on order), and ten B787-10s (with twenty more on order).
