While the coronavirus restrictions worldwide are still in place, Etihad is making plans for its future operations after the measures against the pandemic are eased and later on completely lifted.

The airline said that when the United Arab Emirates (UAE) gives the green light for passenger travel, Etihad expects to operate a reduced network of scheduled passenger services from 1 May to 30 June. The schedule will be supplemented with more flights gradually, depending on the global situation.

Currently the airline is mainly operating special flights to carry international travellers out of the UAE and making cargo flights to provide necessary supplies.

For these operations Etihad uses 22 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 777-300ER passenger aircraft. Five more planes are ready for service. All these complement its operational fleet of five 777-200F freighters.

“While the intention is to assume a ‘business as usual’ approach to the restart of our operations, the aviation landscape has changed, and how it will look month by month is difficult to predict. This has necessitated a fundamental shift in focus for us”, said Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group.