In a year that was very quiet at Farnborough, few people suspected the largest order would come from an airline with only six aircraft. But Etihad Airlines, which began operating with two leased A330-200s just eight months ago, stole the headlines, ordering 24 Airbus aircraft at the show including four A380s, eight A340s and 12 A330s. But while it is a new airline it has a strong owner - the Abu Dhabi government. Having seen the success of Emirates Airline's in the neighbouring emirate of Dubai the government plans to invest over Dhl billion ($270 million) in the airline over the next five years as well as paying for advertising to encourage people to visit Abu Dhabi. The airline is 100% owned by the government of Abu Dhabi and was established in July 2002 by a decree by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi.
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