FIRST COMMERCIAL FLAMMABILITY TEST LAB LAUNCHED IN THE MIDDLE EAST

At the launch of the Lantal Flammability Test Lab at Etihad Airways Engineering in Abu Dhabi, are: (left to right) Peter Baumgartner, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways; Dr. Urs Rickenbacher, Chief Executive Officer, Lantal; Bernhard Randerath, Vice President, Design, Engineering and Innovation, Etihad Airways Engineering; Heiko Nüssel, Partner, Executive Vice President, Compliance and Certification, Lantal; Shevantha Weerasekera, Head of Engineering, Etihad Airways Engineering; Jeff Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways Engineering; Jürg Metz, Swiss Consul. 

Etihad Airways Engineering and Lantal Textiles AG have launched the first Flammability Test Laboratory in the Middle East, for regional customers within the aviation industry, including VIP operators, MRO organisations, design and production organisations as well as cabin interior suppliers.

Located inside the Etihad Airways Engineering facility adjacent to Abu Dhabi International Airport, the new Lantal laboratory will provide test services that include flammability tests, seat cushion tests, heat release and smoke tests.

The laboratory will conform to ISO 17025 quality management standards, and all testing will be conducted in accordance with the Airworthiness Regulations FAR / CS 25.853.

Jeff Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways Engineering, said: “We offer industry leading aircraft maintenance and engineering solutions to customers from all over the world for all major commercial aircraft types. Through our partnership with Lantal, it is now easier and faster for aviation customers in the region to access world-class flammability testing at our facility in Abu Dhabi.”

Dr. Urs Rickenbacher, Chief Executive Officer of Lantal said: "The Lantal flammability test lab in Switzerland is well-known for its high quality standards and short lead times. We have a significant market share in Europe and our new lab in Abu Dhabi, in partnership with Etihad Airways Engineering, will now bring our service closer to customers in the Middle East."

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 About Lantal Textiles:

Lantal is a leader in the design, production, and distribution of textiles, parts, and services for aircraft, train, bus, and executive cabin interiors. The company offers forward-looking counsel with the objective of achieving the ultimate in passenger well-being. For more information, please visit: lantal.com

About Etihad Airways Engineering:

Etihad Airways Engineering is the largest commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services provider in the Middle East.

As part of the Etihad Aviation Group, the company offers line, light and heavy maintenance services around the clock, including design, advanced composite repair, cabin refurbishment and component services, from its state-of-the-art facility adjacent to Abu Dhabi International Airport.

About Etihad Aviation Group:

Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) is a diversified global aviation and travel group comprising four business divisions – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways Engineering, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners. The group has minority investments in seven airlines: airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional.

From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to, or has announced plans to serve, more than 110 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of over 120 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 204 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. For more information, please visit: etihad.com

For further information:

Elie Dib, Etihad Airways Engineering Work: +9712 511 2422 / EDib@etihad.ae

Guido Gander, Lantal Textiles AG Work: + 41 62 916 72 45 / guido.gander@lantal.ch