Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE with its hub in Abu Dhabi, took home three awards at the 14th Aviation Business Awards in Dubai. It won the ‘Environmental Initiative of the Year’ while its training division Etihad Aviation Training was named ‘Training Provider of the Year’. Etihad Engineering was recognised with the inaugural “Pride of Aviation” award.

Etihad’s commitment to tackling climate change and ensuring sustainability was rewarded at the event. The carrier’s recent initiatives include the ecoDemonstrator programme in partnership with Boeing.Its Boeing 787 Dreamliners are a testbed for technology acceleration as part of the Etihad Greenliner programme launched in 2019.

Ahmed Al Qubaisi, Senior Vice President Government, International & Communications, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “This award recognises Etihad’s relentless commitment to sustainability, even as the airline tackles the current COVID-19 crisis. Etihad continues to be committed to a minimum target of zero net carbon emissions by 2050 and halving the airline’s 2019 net emission levels by 2035. “

Etihad Aviation Training is the first training provider in the Middle East to be certified to train pilots holding European licences, which is a significant industry milestone.

To support a safe return to the skies for airlines around the world, Etihad Engineering launched a range of service solutions. It leveraged its comprehensive Part21J and Part21G capabilities to design, manufacture, certify and install aircraft cabin parts.

Air Arabia

Sharjah-based Air Arabia won the ‘Low-Cost Airline of the Year’ recognition at the AVB gala ceremony for its innovation, financial performance, and ambitious growth plans.

Commenting on the award, Group CEO Adel Al Ali said it “reiterates the hard work done by the team this year and is a testament to the strength of the low-cost business model in the region.”

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The first low-cost carrier of the UAE capital, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, will begin flights on July 14. The inaugural flights will fly to Egypt. The new airline is a partnership between Sharjah-based Air Arabia and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways. Tickets can be bought now on Air Arabia website.

Egypt, a key travel market for UAE, reopened to international flights in June. Flights from Abu Dhabi to the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria will begin on July 15, and to Sohag the next day.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi will operate three times a week to Alexandria, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. There will be one flight per week every Wednesday afternoon to Sohag, which will return to the capital at night.

The airline has introduced safety protocols to keep passengers safe when flying during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include compulsory face masks for everyone, full PPE for cabin crew and food and drinks served in sealed bags.

Abu Dhabi had recently begun a venture with the Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air.

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