Etihad Airways to Open Staff Housing Development

Etihad Airways is to open a purpose-built, new housing development close to Abu Dhabi airport to help accommodate its rapidly expanding workforce.

The Abraj Towers housing development, opposite the airline's new headquarters building, is close to completion and will open in phases. The first phase consists of nearly 200 one-bedroom apartments, the first of which will become available later this month. The new project has been developed as part of a joint venture between Etihad Airways and Aldar Properties.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways' chief executive, said, "As Etihad's workforce continues to grow, the need for good quality affordable staff housing is a top priority.

"By working with Aldar we have been able to provide a sizeable housing development, built to the high standards and ideally located for many hundreds of our employees."

The community around Abraj Towers will eventually house more than 1,000 staff in one, two, and three-bedroom furnished and unfurnished apartments with balconies and, when completed in 2009, will include a 2,363 sq m supermarket and a 1,402 sq m gym facility, as well as a swimming pool and other amenities.

Etihad's human resources department is currently in discussions with Aldar and other developers about further housing projects. The airline has around 5,700 staff worldwide, including more than 4,850 based in the United Arab Emirates.

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