Airlines

Etihad Airways boosts flights to New York-JFK this winter

This winter, Etihad Airways will offer extra flights to New York, facilitating travel to the United States. Beginning on November 15, Etihad will increase the number of weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and New York by four, bringing the total to 11 nonstop trips to John F.

The new flights will be operated with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner while existing daily services will continue on Etihad’s new Airbus A350 aircraft, which has been deployed on the New York route since June. These aircraft types are two of the most efficient in the world, with significantly less fuel burn and CO2 emissions than previous-generation twin-aisle aircraft.

The frequency increase will provide travelers with more choice and flexibility between Abu Dhabi and New York and is perfectly timed to commence ahead of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix taking place on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi between 17 and 20 November 2022.

Travelers will also benefit from improved access between New York and Etihad’s global network of 70 destinations, particularly in the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, as well as connections beyond New York, to and from 46 destinations throughout the Americas, with Etihad’s codeshare partner — and New York’s Hometown Airline.

Etihad passengers travelling to the US will be able to take advantage of Etihad’s US pre-clearance facility, the only United States Customs and Border Protection facility in the Middle East. This allows passengers bound for the United States to process all immigration, customs and agriculture inspections in Abu Dhabi before they board their flight, avoiding immigration and queues on arrival in the US.

Flight schedule for Abu Dhabi – New York service, effective 15 November 2022:

Flight

Departing

Time

Arriving

Time

Aircraft

Days

EY101

Abu Dhabi

10:25

New York

16:10

A350

Daily

EY100

New York

22:00

Abu Dhabi

19:30 (+1)

A350

Daily

EY103

Abu Dhabi

03:55

New York

09:45

B787-9

Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun

EY102

New York

14:00

Abu Dhabi

11:30 (+1)

B787-9

Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun

Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.