Jetrader - July/August 2010 - 11

Q&A

James Rigney
Chief Financial Officer, Etihad
Interview conducted by Marco Sterk, The Longbow Group, LLC Jetrader: How did you get involved in the aviation industry? James Rigney: Following the early years of my career in the banking and financial services sector, I have been in aviation for nearly 15 years, three of which have been at Etihad as CFO. Prior to joining Etihad, I worked at Gulf Air as head of corporate strategy and at Ansett Airways in Australia. JT: Etihad was established in 2003 and was voted “The World’s Leading Airline” in 2009. How did Etihad accomplish such an achievement in only six years? JR: This accomplishment is the natural outcome of the airline’s vision and commitment to be the best in the world. However, in real terms it is the result of active shareholder engagement driving significant investment in the creation of a global network and state-of-the-art fleet that supports the economic development and growth plans of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the development of Etihad coincides with, and supports, the emergence of Abu Dhabi as an aviation hub. It is also attributable to the airline’s commitment to creating an exceptional and an award-winning product and service portfolio that reflects the distinctive brand of Abu Dhabi. Etihad has also invested heavily in its staff training to offer its customers the best possible service experience in the air and on the ground. JT: Your fleet expansion plans are very impressive with 35 Boeing 787-9 on order plus 10 more 777 and from Airbus 25 A350-1000 plus the 10 A380s. When will Etihad start taking delivery of its first A380, 787 and A350 and what routes do you see these on first? JR: The 2008 Farnborough deal is the outcome of a long-term network and fleet planning process which makes provision for Etihad’s growth requirements from 2011 to 2020. We’ll take delivery of the first aircraft under this deal in 2011. And at this stage,

we plan to take delivery of 10 Airbus A380s from 2013; 25 A350s between 2017 and 2020; and 35 Boeing 787s between 2014 and 2020. The mix of wide- and narrow-body aircraft will be deployed to correctly service the demand on short-, medium- and longhaul routes on our network in order to ensure optimal fleet and fuel use. JT: How does Etihad Airlines’ business plan differentiate over the long-term compared to Qatar and Emirates Airlines ambitions in the region? JR: I can’t comment on the long-term business plans of other carriers in the region. However our business planning supports the fundamental vision to be the best airline in the world. We have a mandate from our shareholders to create a sustainable, commercially profitable business that will ensure the economic growth and development aspirations of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Etihad’s fleet consists of 52 aircraft:
Airbus A330-200 Airbus A320-200 Airbus A340- 600 Boeing 777-300 ER Airbus A340- 500 Airbus A319 - 100 Airbus A300-600S (cargo freighter) MD11 (cargo freighter) 17 13 7 6 4 2 2 1

Jetrader 11



Jetrader - July/August 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jetrader - July/August 2010

Jetrader - July/August 2010
A Message from the President
Contents
Calendar/News
Q&A: James Rigney
Funding Fundamentals
Appraisal Methodology 101
Icelandair faces Eyjafjallajökull
Legal Issues Clouded by Ash
Aircraft Appraisals
The Changing Landscape of Aircraft Financing
Aviation History
From the ISTAT Foundation
Advertiser.com/Advertiser Index
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - Jetrader - July/August 2010
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - Cover2
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - 3
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - 4
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - A Message from the President
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - 6
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - Contents
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - 8
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - Calendar/News
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - 10
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - Q&A: James Rigney
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - 12
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - Funding Fundamentals
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - 14
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - Appraisal Methodology 101
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - 16
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - 17
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - Icelandair faces Eyjafjallajökull
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - 19
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - Legal Issues Clouded by Ash
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - Aircraft Appraisals
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - 22
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - The Changing Landscape of Aircraft Financing
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - Aviation History
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - 25
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - Advertiser.com/Advertiser Index
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - Cover3
Jetrader - July/August 2010 - Cover4
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