Home Transport Aviation Etihad records best punctuality results since 2010 The Abu Dhabi airline saw on-time performance results of between 80-85 per cent across its hub and network by Neil King January 24, 2019 Etihad Airways has posted its best December operational on-time performance (OTP) results since 2010, according to the airline’s chief operating officer. Mohammad Al Bulooki told the UAE’s state news agency WAM that the results are “a testament to our continued focus on safe and punctual operations”, with the carrier recording network punctuality of 82 per cent for flight departures and 84 per cent for arrivals. OTP for departures at its Abu Dhabi hub was 80 per cent, and 85 per cent for arrivals. Across its network, the airline completed 99.7 per cent of flights as scheduled in 2018. OTP is calculated on flight arrival and departure times within 15 minutes of the published schedule, taking into consideration a number of external factors including weather disruption and airspace congestion. The results offer some good news to the airline, which is reported to be planning pilot job cuts by the end of January. According to sources quoted by Reuters, Etihad plans to cut 50 such jobs by the end of the month after losses last year. The carrier employs 2,065 pilots, Reuters reported, with 160 classed as surplus. Read Abu Dhabi’s Etihad to cut 50 pilots after big loss last year – sources However, the airline is also embarking on a global recruitment drive to hire additional cabin crew, holding events across Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Read Abu Dhabi’s Etihad to hold cabin crew recruitment days in 19 cities globally The carrier currently employs over 4,800 cabin crew representing 115 nationalities, said it looking to hire extra members to “support its operational growth including the arrival of new, next generation fleet this year”. 0 Comments