Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways plans to launch a new low-fare airline in partnership with Air Arabia called Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, the emirate’s airport authority said&nbsp;without mentioning a start date&nbsp;in a statement released Wednesday. The new carrier plans to base its operation at Abu Dhabi International Airport, offering connections to several now unserved destinations.

 


Etihad Aviation Group CEO Tony Douglas said the airline would operate based on “an independent strategy” steered by a board of directors consisting of members nominated by Etihad and Air Arabia.

 


“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Etihad Aviation Group and Air Arabia to launch Abu Dhabi’s first low-cost carrier," added Abu Dhabi Airports CEO Bryan Thompson. “The establishment Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, with its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, is a milestone in the continuing growth of Abu Dhabi’s aviation industry and the Emirate’s status as a global hub for business and leisure travelers.”

 


The move by Etihad follows a series of divestments in loss-making airlines, leaving Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, and Virgin Australia as its last remaining equity partners. Following the departure of long-time CEO James Hogan, Etihad early this year completed fleet renegotiations with Airbus and Boeing following a so-called strategic review that resulted in a decision to slow and/or cut widebody deliveries. The new agreements will see Etihad take delivery “over the coming years” of just five Airbus A350-1000s and six Boeing 777-9s, far fewer than reflected in the firm orders it placed at the 2013 Dubai Air Show. It said it expects to take all 26 Airbus A321neos on order. &nbsp;

 


In 2013 Etihad placed orders for 40 A350-900s along with 10 A350-1000s. At the time the airline said it planned to take the first -900 in 2020. That same year Etihad ordered 17 Boeing 777-9s and eight 777-8s.

 


The airline said the restructuring would allow it to concentrate on the phased introduction of new aircraft types and enable “efficient rationalization” of its fleet, as it shifts its focus to its Abu Dhabi hub from a more aggressive, global growth strategy.&nbsp;

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Etihad To Launch Low-cost Carrier with Air Arabia

The LCC move by Abu Dhabi-based Etihad follows a shift in focus from global partnerships to its home markets. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

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