• Mobile exhibition unit provides delegates with unique experience of cabin product and services
• Middle East showcasing follows highly successful 18 month, 60,000km, tour of Europe
• Mobile exhibition unit is part of Etihad’s strategic objective on innovation
• Etihad will also host fashion model, Halima Aden, and UAE ice hockey player, Fatima Al Ali

Dubai, April 22, 2017:  Etihad Airways will debut its innovative mobile exhibition unit at next week’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, providing delegates with a first-hand experience of its award-winning cabin products and inflight service.
 
The 16m long mobile exhibition unit, weighing approximately 22 tonnes and measuring 50m², travelled to the UAE from Europe where it has clocked 60,000km in 18 months, having visited trade events and exhibitions across Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium and Spain.
 
The UAE’s national airline will also host Halima Aden, the American fashion model and icon, on its stand. Somali-born Halima will take part in a live Q and A in the theatre section of the stand, where she will discuss Etihad’s winning partnerships with the world of fashion.

Fatima Al Ali, the ice hockey playing Emirati, will also take part in a live Q and A on the stand. Fatima shot to fame late last year when she was “discovered” by NHL legend Petr Bondra who was in Abu Dhabi for an ice hockey camp. Her story made global headlines when Etihad flew her to Washington, D.C. and she met her NHL heroes.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to once again showcase our world-class product, services, global network and award-winning marketing partnerships on our stand at the Arabian Travel Market, which this year will include a series of informative and interactive Q and A discussions.

“The 2017 ATM will have an increased level of excitement for Etihad Airways as the event will see the regional debut of our innovative mobile exhibition unit. It is the world’s first and only airline mobile exhibition unit and will ensure the Etihad stand is a must-see for ATM delegates.”
 
The mobile exhibition unit includes full-size mock-ups of The Residence, the world’s only three-room cabin on a commercial airline, and the First Apartment both of which are currently onboard the airline’s A380 fleet, as well as the First Suite from Etihad’s Boeing 787 aircraft. 
 
Painted in Etihad’s ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ corporate colours, the mobile exhibition unit also features the airline’s renowned Business Studio and Economy SmartSeat.
 
Etihad’s stand will promote the airline’s campaigns to “connect the world via Abu Dhabi”, as well as several “winning partnerships” the airline has with the fashion industry and annual Fashion Weeks, City Football Group, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and Taste Festivals. 
 
There will be live cooking demonstrations from Etihad chefs and a major highlight is set to be the liquid nitrogen ice cream giveaway to delegates at the “ATM Cooldown”. 
 
Visitors to the stand will have a glimpse into the future of air travel through VR headsets in the video area and iPad pods with special focus on the Abu Dhabi Airport Midfield Terminal and the airline’s unique Digital Transformation and Innovation (DTI).
 
The stand’s theatre area will be home to Question and Answer sessions with Etihad executives, covering the areas of guest experience, marketing partnerships, environment and sustainability.
 
The Arabian Travel Market 2017 takes place from Monday 24 through Thursday 27 April at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Etihad Airways stand will be located at Stand Number ME2310 in Hall Number 2.