Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Etihad Airways, the flagship carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has reached another significant achievement in its flight operations and pilot training programs.
The airline has successfully secured stringent regulatory endorsements and completed comprehensive pilot training, enabling its aviators to adeptly handle both the Airbus A350 and A380 aircraft interchangeably. This achievement establishes Etihad as a leader in the global aviation industry, showcasing its ability to offer unparalleled flexibility in pilot operation skills.
Typically, airline pilots are confined to operating a single type of aircraft. Yet, through specific conditions such as the similarity in cockpit design, operational procedures, and through specialized training programs endorsed by both the aircraft manufacturer and the Civil Aviation Authority, known as ‘Mixed Fleet Flying’ (MFF), pilots can be authorized to command two closely related types of aircraft.
Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer of Etihad Airways, expressed pride in the airline being among the first to enable its pilots to simultaneously operate the Airbus A350 and A380 aircraft.
He highlighted that this milestone not only boosts the operational resilience and adaptability of the airline’s network but also underscores Etihad’s dedication to leading in operational efficiency, innovation, customer satisfaction, and maintaining safety as the organization’s foremost concern.
In the last ten years, Etihad has received comparable certifications allowing its Airbus pilots to alternately pilot the A320 and A330 models, as well as the A330 and A340, and its Boeing pilots to operate the 777 and 787 models. This practice of promoting fleet commonality has been further advanced with the recent authorization for A350 and A380 operations, augmenting the effectiveness and versatility of Etihad’s long-haul fleet.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
