Posted on 02/02/2009 12:33:34 PM PST by KeyLargo
Arab airline starting Chicago route
By Lorene Yue Feb. 02, 2009 (Crain’s) — Etihad Airways, the national airline for the United Arab Emirates, is making Chicago its second destination in the United States.
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier, a relative upstart in the aviation industry, will begin non-stop service to and from O’Hare International Airport on Sept. 2. Etihad has been flying to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport since October 2006.
Chicago is part of Etihad’s growth strategy. The airline, which launched in November 2003, also plans to add routes to Melbourne, Australia; Athens, Greece; and Istanbul, Turkey, this year.
CEO James Hogan said in a statement that connecting Chicago and Abu Dhabi will “enhance commercial and cultural ties” between the two cities and the two countries.
The carrier will begin with one flight on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays with plans to increase to daily service on Oct. 1.
Merely practice for the John Hancock building...
The Saudi pilots have all the current skills needed to fly, landing was optional.
http://www.tothepointnews.com/content/view/3207/85/
A Houston to Abu Dhabi flight would be nice.
Actually, if I remember right, you can hang that one on technicians at Airbus. They were testing the engines on that brand-new A340-600 at Airbus’ factory in Toulouse, France, when somehow, the plane overcame the resistance of the brakes (the wheels weren’t chocked—duhhhh) and accelerated to about 30 knots. The plane crashed into that blast wall and broke pretty much in two about five rows back in the cabin. Nine people were onboard for the test from Airbus and Etihad, nobody died but four were seriously injured.
Etihad has only been around six years, but has never had an accident other than that one.
}:-)4
LOL! But not really.
The problem with this, is we simply cannot make sure these planes are safe. They may be fine for years, and then on day a number of them could be rendered flying weapons.
I have a very hard time accepting some things. The idea of this expanding and us having tens of these aircraft in our airspace at any given time, is extremely problematic.
When Iran gets the bomb, is anyone comfortable with aircraft like this flying around the United States?
Will they provide foot baths and prayer rugs?
Rosary optional.
...but look at the brightside, at least you'll get some free peanuts.
I have never flown on Etihad, but if it is anything like Emirates, it is a great airline to fly.
I agree wholeheartedly with you. It seems to me that Obama is using his new position to bring business to Chicago. Business as usual. Chicago may rue the day it ever heard of Obama...
Thanks for the mention.
It’s kind of a Catch 22 whether I’ll be happy about that or not. For if he is unpopular in Chicago, something truly devastating will have to take place to cause it.
“In case of a skyscraper landing, you will find a Koran and shaving kit under the seat. Thank you for flying Jihad Airlines”.
LQ
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