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Etihad Airways
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- EY/ETD
- Airline Sort:
- Full Service Service
- Hub(s):
- Abu Dhabi Worldwide Airport
- Yr Based:
- 2003
- CEO:
- Tony Douglas
- Nation:
- United Arab Emirates
Etihad Airways has shut ties to Manchester Metropolis FC. In addition to having been the workforce’s package sponsor since 2009, the Abu Dhabi-based UAE flag provider’s title has additionally adorned its residence floor, the Etihad Stadium, since 2011. In reflection of this longstanding partnership, two Etihad jets have had Manchester Metropolis liveries.
A6-EYE
The primary of the provider’s plane to bear Manchester Metropolis’s distinctive sky blue colour scheme was an Airbus A330-200 registered as A6-EYE. In keeping with knowledge from ATDB.aero, this 2005-built twinjet had beforehand worn one other sport-themed livery, specifically one selling Components One‘s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, from Could 2009.
The plane acquired its Manchester Metropolis-themed livery, in addition to the title Blue Moon Rising, in July 2011. In keeping with Etihad Airways, the explanation for this was to have a good time the launch of a second day by day service between Manchester Airport (MAN) and its Abu Dhabi Worldwide (AUH) hub. On the time of writing, the provider’s providers on this hall have been sometimes working simply as soon as a day.
A6-EYE, which might seat a complete of 240 financial system class (eight-abreast) and 22 enterprise class (four-abreast) passengers in keeping with knowledge from ch-aviation.com, saved this livery for the remainder of its profession. Etihad ultimately withdrew the plane from service in December 2018, and it now finds itself in storage in Teruel, Spain.
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A6-BND
Simply over eight years after repainting an present plane in a Manchester Metropolis-themed livery, Etihad additionally selected to obtain a brand-new Boeing 787-9 ‘Dreamliner’ within the membership’s colours. Registered as A6-BND, this contemporary twinjet was constructed at Boeing’s manufacturing facility in North Charleston, South Carolina, earlier than being delivered in October 2019. Robin Kamark, Etihad’s Chief Business Officer, said on the time:
“As we have a good time a decade of this profitable partnership, we’re proud to see the Manchester Metropolis colours grace our runways and skies, as the brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner takes flight. This livery pays tribute to the Membership’s unimaginable accomplishments on and off the pitch.”
Information from ch-aviation reveals that, just like the A330 earlier than it, A6-BND has a two-class configuration. This structure accommodates 262 financial system class passengers seated nine-abreast (3-3-3), in addition to 28 fortunate customers of four-abreast (1-2-1) enterprise class flatbeds. This offers the plane a complete capability of 290 passengers. As of April this 12 months, it had amassed a complete of 9,197 flight hours throughout 1,700 cycles.
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The place does A6-BND fly?
For planespotters all over the world, probabilities to see specially-liveried plane like A6-BND are all the time thrilling. However the place are you probably to catch this sky-blue Boeing? Apart from Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub, RadarBox.com reveals that Jakarta, Indonesia (CGK) is its commonest vacation spot, with 77 visits up to now 12 months.
This places it simply forward of Phuket (75 visits), which itself is forward of one other Thai airport, specifically Bangkok (54 visits). Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL) is subsequent on the record, tied with Manchester itself on 36 visits apiece within the final 12 months. Rounding out the highest 10, we now have Singapore (SIN) and Zürich (ZRH) on 34 visits apiece, adopted by Dublin (32), London Heathrow (28), and, lastly, Munich (26).
What do you make of Etihad’s partnership with Manchester Metropolis? Have you ever ever flown on considered one of its specially-livered plane? Tell us your ideas and experiences within the feedback!
