Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways will purchase five Boeing 777-200
LR aircraft from Air India to service its upcoming Los Angeles route.
The deal to acquire the jets, which are currently the
longest range passenger aircraft in operation, was agreed following the signing
of a letter of intent in Mumbai earlier this week. The aircraft have an average
age of six years.
Etihad did not release financial details regarding the
transaction.
The aircraft are due to be delivered to Etihad from the
beginning of 2014 and will be refitted in a three-class configuration. Etihad
will receive the first 777 in April next year, with its service to Los Angeles
beginning on June 1.
Fewer than 60 of the Boeing 777-200 LR have been
manufactured, and they have a design range of 17,370km.
Etihad’s fleet will reach 87 aircraft by the end of this
year, with 14 deliveries expected before the end of this year.
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