Airline Has Delayed PAX OPs To May 16th

It's a slow but sure process all over the world... but we're starting to see more and more schedule updates that seem ti indicate some sense of normalcy may soon be coming to the airline world, here and abroad.

UAE's national carrier has joined a number of airlines that are cautiously forecasting a return to passenger  service, at least, in part. Saturday, May 16th, is the current service date, an update from the previously targeted May 1st.

Etihad has told media sources that, “While Etihad hoped to resume a reduced network of scheduled passenger services from May 1, subject to UAE government imposed travel restrictions being lifted, the airline will now delay this plan until at least May 16, due to the ongoing situation... Some flights remain bookable from May 16, however as the current suspension remains in place, this situation may change and Etihad will communicate any changes in due course."

The airline claims to be using the downtime well.

With upwards of 80 per cent of its passenger fleet on the ground, the airline embarked on the biggest aircraft maintenance programme in its history. Etihad Engineering, the group’s Engineering Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) division, went to work performing maintenance work on 96 passenger aircraft including 29 Airbus A320 and A321s, 10 Airbus A380s, 38 Boeing 787s, and 19 Boeing 777-300ERs.

The program ranged 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.

FMI: www.etihad.com