"We ordered four A-380s with the deliveries starting from second half of 2007 but the schedule was delayed by six months to first half of 2008 due to some problems," said Geert Boven, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways.

In an interview to Khaleej Times, he said: "We are expecting anytime a more detailed response on the matter from Airbus Industrie."

Brushing aside media speculations on the deliveries, Geert Boven said the makers of world's most advance state-of-the-art and largest passenger aircraft have informed Etihad Airways that a delivery schedule would be supplied to the airlines who have placed orders for A380

He did not comment on the compensation part of the agreement, in the event of any delay, which the airline would certainly get for the delays made.

Geert Boven said Etihad Airways is considering to acquire more aircraft in its quest to expand its fleet to cater to the growing passenger traffic.

"The airline is considering a major expansion plan as we want to operate to 70 destinations by the year 2010," he said.

"With more aircraft we would be in a better position to handle our business growth," he observed.

"We have not yet taken any decision on what aircraft we would be ordering. But our short-listed choice includes three Boeing-777's or newly designed yet to be produced A-330's for cargo operations," said the top executive of Etihad Airways.

"The airline is also evaluating Boeing's 787 and Airbus A-350 wide-body aircraft for passenger operations. The decision on the purchase of new aircraft is likely to be made by the board of directors during second half of next year." he explained.

The airline recently received the deliveries of two A340-500 which forms part of the airline's record $8 billion order made in 2004 for 29 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft. This latest arrival means that 80 per cent of Etihad's fleet is brand new which is unprecedented in the world of air travel.

The latest addition to Etihad's fleet will now join the other aircraft which includes nine A330-200s and five Boeing 777-300 ERs. At present, Etihad Airways have 24 brand new aircraft, deliveries of ten more new aircraft would be made during 2007 while four A-380s would be added to the fleet in 2008.

"The airline will retain its position as one of the fastest growing carrier laced with brand new aircraft," he said.

The airline which is completing three successful years of operations already have two leased aircraft for passenger service and three transport aircraft.

He said that majority of the aircraft leased from a Spanish airliner, to start up the operations of the Etihad operations three years ago, have been returned back. With the number of aircraft on its fleet at the moment and the clear delivery schedule in hand, the airline is in comfortable position to plan its ambitious growth targets by adding new destinations, almost every alternate month.

"We want to link Abu Dhabi with the global financial and economic centres. We would continue to strive for this objective," said Geert Boven adding that airline would offer daily service to New York from October 26. "New York is 35th destination and will open new chapter in the aviation history of the country," he said. In the following months, he said Teheran — the Iranian capital — would emerge on Etihad Airways route map while in January we will be launching a service to China's financial capital — Shanghai — which will open new avenues of business, commerce and leisure.