The Etihad roadshow is continuing across the globe with current support from more than 60 institutions globally, which now provide more than US$7.1bn in cumulative funding for the airline’s ongoing expansion. It remains to be seen if the equity alliance with investments in Air Seychelles (40%), airberlin (29.21%), Virgin Australia (9%) and Aer Lingus (2.987%) will continue to be as successful as the initial period (20% of total passenger revenue).
Etihad hedged 80% of fuel costs with 22 financial institutions for 2012 but currently has 76% of its fuel costs hedged for 2013, 44% for 2014, and 19% for 2015. Therefore at current prices Etihad will have to speed revenue growth to hold its current margin.
An RFP will be issued soon to finance four A320s and one A321 aircraft for delivery between August 2013 and January 2014.