Etihad Airways getting Air Berlin crew transfers as the German carrier reduces staff

Air Berlin, which is cutting 900 jobs as part of its Turbine savings program, will transfer more than 50 pilots to Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways as the German carrier reduces its fleet and its majority shareholder prepares for international expansion.
                                                                      
Air Berlin CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, told ATW earlier that Etihad had temporary employment for about 100 positions. “This includes pilots, flight attendants and technicians,” he said.

The transfer of Air Berlin pilots started in April, Etihad Airways said in a statement. Six Boeing 737 first officers moved to Abu Dhabi and started type rating for the Boeing 777.

In the next several months, Airbus A320 first officers and captains, as well as A330 first officers will also begin 777 type rating.

Etihad Airways employs more than 1,400 pilots and expects to need 1,000 additional pilots by 2020.

Since December 2011, Etihad Airways and Air Berlin have worked together on a range of other synergies including pilot training, common maintenance, alignment of Boeing 787 orders, integration of their frequent flyer programs and the sharing of infrastructure.

In November, Etihad will more than double the size of its flight training center in Abu Dhabi, with its new extended facility housing flight simulators for Airbus A320, A330/A340, A350, A380, Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft.

(Kurt Hofmann - ATWONline News)