Etihad Pilots Granted Dual Certification for A350 and A380 Operations

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has reached another significant milestone in pilot training and flying operations.

Etihad has qualified its pilots to operate Airbus A350 and A380 aircraft interchangeably, following successful completion of extensive pilot training and gaining stringent regulatory permits. This accomplishment establishes Etihad as one of the world’s leading airlines in achieving this level of diversity in its pilot capabilities.

Pilots on airlines are usually limited to operating one kind of aircraft. However, under specific circumstances—like a highly comparable flight deck, pilot protocols, and the application of specialized training—pilots may be permitted to operate two types of similar aircraft through a specialized program authorized by the Civil Aviation Authority and the aircraft manufacturer. This is referred to as “Mixed Fleet Flying,” or “MFF.”

By obtaining comparable permits over the past decade, Etihad has raised the bar for fleet commonality by allowing its Airbus pilots to fly the A320 and A330, A330 and A340, and its Boeing pilots to fly the 777 and 787. The most recent license to operate the Airbus A350 and A380 will build on this heritage by increasing the effectiveness and flexibility of Etihad’s widebody network.