Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways will buy five Boeing 777-200LRs from Air India to support the accelerating growth of its route network.

The new aircraft, which will be delivered from the start of 2014 and should come into service from April after a cabin refit, will initially be used on the newly announced Abu Dhabi-Los Angeles route, which starts June 1, 2014.

“The Boeing 777-200LR is a fantastic addition, giving us extra reach immediately and complementing our long-term fleet strategy,” Etihad president and CEO James Hogan said.

“Our continued strong organic growth, boosted by the impact of our equity partners, has opened up new opportunities for additional destinations.

“We are looking forward to starting direct services to Los Angeles, as well as increasing our flying to South America. This is the aircraft to do that.”

Etihad said the attraction of the 777-200LR is its reach—a range of 9,390 nm (17,370 km), allowing it to connect to almost any city in the world from Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub. Fewer than 60 aircraft were manufactured by Boeing and they are the longest-range passenger aircraft in operation.

Etihad and Air India signed a letter of intent in Mumbai earlier this week paving the way for the deal. The aircraft, which have an average age of six years, will be re-fitted in a three-class cabin configuration consistent with similar aircraft in Etihad’s fleet.

Etihad flies to New York, Chicago, Washington DC and Toronto in North America, and to São Paulo in Brazil. It has stated its ambition to add new services to both continents.

The purchase comes as Etihad finalizes details on a new fleet order, which will meet its organic growth and expansion requirements to 2025 in line with its rolling network plan.

“This tactical addition to our fleet adds even further flexibility,” Hogan said.  “We’ve been able to respond quickly to a positive opportunity to add to the fleet, allowing us to bring forward our launch plans for a number of new routes.”

SOURCE ATW