Etihad Airways began its journey back in 2003, here The National charts its rise from a single route to a global network:
____________________________________
July 2003:
Etihad Airways created by Royal Decree
____________________________________
November 2003:
Airline is launched with a ceremonial flight to Al Ain, with scheduled services to Beirut starting a week later
____________________________________
2004:
Etihad begins rapid route expansion, adding 13 destinations in the year and buying 29 aircraft valued at US$8 billion (Dh29.38bn)
____________________________________
September 2004:
Enters Indian market with services to Mumbai
____________________________________
September 2005:
Abu Dhabi announces plans to sell its shares in Gulf Air, which it owns jointly with Bahrain and Oman, to focus on developing Etihad
____________________________________
October 2005:
Etihad moves into North American market with services to Toronto
____________________________________
June 2006:
Etihad opens its 30th route in its first 30 months of operation
____________________________________
September 2006:
Etihad hires James Hogan as chief executive
____________________________________
October 2006:
Launches direct services to the US with non-stop flights to New York
____________________________________
January 2007:
Airline announces plan to break even in 2010
____________________________________
July 2007:
At the Paris Air Show, Etihad signs multibillion-dollar order with Airbus for 12 wide-body aircraft
____________________________________
July 2008:
At the Farnborough International Airshow, Etihad makes commitment to buy up to 205 aircraft, including options, worth up to $43bn
____________________________________
October 2008:
Wins naming rights for the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne, a popular venue for Australian rules football, which is renamed Etihad Stadium
____________________________________
December 2008:
Launches direct flights to Moscow, its 50th international destination
____________________________________
May 2009:
The carrier signs a shirt sponsorship deal with Manchester City Football Club
____________________________________
September 2009:
Lands highest credit rating from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, enabling it to access attractive aircraft financing rates
____________________________________
November 2009:
Citing the global downturn, defers break-even target date by one year to 2011
____________________________________
March 2010:
Launch of service from GCC to Tokyo
____________________________________
April 2010:
Becomes first GCC airline to serve Baghdad
____________________________________
August 2010:
Etihad signs strategic code-share alliance with Virgin Blue Group, expanding its reach into Australia, New Zealand and Oceania
____________________________________
January 2011:
Launches service to Bangalore, its 66th destination
____________________________________