Aviation

Etihad Launches first commercial flight from UAE to Israel

Etihad Launches first commercial flight from UAE to Israel: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), today launched its flight service between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv. Additionally, UAE added Israel to its “Green List”, giving quarantine-free travel for visitors arriving in UAE from Israel.

The launch of flight is the base of the next historic step in developing diplomatic, trade and tourism ties between UAE and Israel. It is the part of the Abraham Accords agreement.

#UAE‘s @etihad Airways inaugurates all-new #AbuDhabi-Tel Aviv route. Another step in the growing relations between the two countries. ??✈️?? https://t.co/5qONmt3M5g pic.twitter.com/YC29Aoqgop

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) April 6, 2021

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 flight EY598, the first direct commercial flight which took 3 hours and 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport, took to the skies this morning (Tuesday) at 10:05 (UAE time) and landed at Ben Gurion Airport at 12:30 (Israel time). On board the flight was a diplomatic and economic delegation representing the UAE. The delegation includes H.E. Mohamed Al-Khaja, UAE’s first Ambassador to Israel, Eitan Nae’eh, Israel’s Head of Mission to the UAE, and Tony Douglas, Etihad’s Group CEO.

تغمرني عواطف جياشة وانا على متن اول رحلة تدشنها شركة طيران الاتحاد الاماراتية بين ابو ظبي وإسرائيل. هذا فصل تاريخي إضافي في نسيج العلاقات المتنامية بين البلدين@uaeinisrael @etihad, @gulfjewish @lalshareef, @hend_mana @emiratestrans @Dralsarrah @kaisos1987 pic.twitter.com/wDXfB6o2JO

— Eitan Na’eh (@AmbassadorNaeh) April 6, 2021

The flight received with the traditional water cannon salute. A welcome reception followed, with speeches given by the UAE’s Ambassador to Israel, Etihad’s Group CEO, and Shmuel Zakay, CEO, Ben Gurion International Airport.

The route will be operated by one of Etihad’s flagship aircraft, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. With 290 seats – 28 Business studios and 262 Economy smart seats, the Dreamliner features Etihad’s renowned e-box entertainment system and in flight wi-fly connectivity network.

Aviation

Aeroflot Buys Used Planes for Spare Parts Amid Sanctions

In the face of ongoing Western sanctions that have severely impacted Russia’s aviation industry, Aeroflot, the country’s largest airline, has devised a strategic plan to bolster its fleet’s spare parts inventory.

The airline is set to acquire five Boeing 737-800BCF freighters from Atran Airlines, a move that will allow it to dismantle the aircraft for critical components. The planes, which will be transferred to Aeroflot’s low-cost subsidiary Pobeda, will not be converted into passenger jets but instead will be stripped for valuable parts to support existing operations.

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Aeroflot’s plan to purchase these Boeing 737-800BCF freighters comes as part of a broader strategy to mitigate the effects of Western sanctions, which have crippled the Russian aviation sector. With the sanctions restricting access to essential aircraft parts and spare components, Aeroflot is exploring alternative ways to maintain and repair its fleet.

Instead of converting the freighters from cargo to passenger planes, a process deemed “unreasonably expensive” under current sanctions, the airline intends to focus on extracting high-value components such as engines, landing gear, avionics, and other essential systems.

The deal will be structured in a way that allows Aeroflot to indirectly purchase the freighters through an insurance settlement with the aircraft’s lessor, AerCap.

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The Russian government’s insurance company will reimburse the aircraft’s value, and the planes will then be leased back to local operators. This method circumvents some of the restrictions imposed by international sanctions while ensuring that the airline gains access to the necessary components to support its fleet.

By dismantling the aircraft for spare parts, Aeroflot aims to secure critical resources for the ongoing maintenance of its existing fleet. Components from the Boeing 737-800BCF freighters, such as engines and avionics, are expected to be reused in other aircraft within Aeroflot’s network, ensuring that the airline can keep its operations running smoothly