Etihad Airways awards $14m contract

Aubrey Tiedt, vice-president of guest services at Etihad Airways, said: “High quality safety and hospitality is an Etihad Airways trademark, and we continuously invest in the best available training facilities.

Etihad Airways is hosting a major recruitment drive in 12 different cities in five countries. — Supplied photo

Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has awarded a $14 million contract to Spatial Composite Solutions, the UAE-based manufacturer of crew training equipment for the global civil aviation and aerospace industries.

Under the contract, Spatial will design and manufacture a total of 14 Cabin Crew Training Devices, including Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner models, to the latest Etihad Airways specifications and install these at the new Etihad Innovation Training Academy in Abu Dhabi. The firm will also build a series of Door and Cabin Trainers that cater to Etihad Airways’ growing fleet of Airbus A320, Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 aircraft, and will conduct an extensive refurbishment program on all existing cabin crew training equipment.

Aubrey Tiedt, vice-president of guest services at Etihad Airways, said: “High quality safety and hospitality is an Etihad Airways trademark, and we continuously invest in the best available training facilities. We are delighted to partner with Spatial Composite Solutions in developing the latest Cabin Safety and Service Trainers. These will provide our cabin crew with the best environment in which to hone their skills. We look forward to receiving our new equipment, including our first Airbus A380 and Boeing B787 training devices, in December.”

Etihad Airways is also hosting a major recruitment drive globally, seeking individuals with outstanding hospitality experience to join the airline’s cabin crew. The international recruitment days will take place in 12 different cities in five countries including Italy, Germany, Japan, Morocco and Tunisia. In Abu Dhabi, the airline will also hold recruitment days on October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, and open days for food and beverage managers and inflight chefs on October 13 and 27.

Applicants interested in attending the recruitment days and joining the airline’s award-winning team of cabin crew, food and beverage managers, and qualified inflight chefs, should register in advance by visiting the Etihad website.

In addition, Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme for Etihad Airways, has recently launched its most generous offer ever, with double Etihad Guest Miles being offered across all cabins for tickets booked on Etihad Airways before October 6, for travel before December 15. The promotion also offers double tier miles for bookings made in First and Business Class — with all Etihad Guest members who fly during the promotional period being entered into a special draw where 10 winners will be awarded 100,000 Etihad Guest Miles each.

Barry Green, MD of Etihad Guest, said: “The Etihad Guest loyalty program is renowned for providing features and benefits that enhance value and appeal to its members. While this promotion is primarily designed to reward Etihad Guest members for their loyalty, even non-members can enrol into the program to take part in this special promotion.”