UAE's national carrier Etihad Airways said it will launch the world’s first mobile exhibition unit at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the premium travel and tourism show in Middle East, which opens in Dubai on April 24 (Monday).

The innovative mobile exhibition will provide delegates with a first-hand experience of its award-winning cabin products and inflight service at the four-day event, said a statement from Etihad Airways.
 
The 16-m-long mobile exhibition unit, weighing 22 tonnes and measuring 50 sq m, travelled to the UAE from Europe where it has clocked 60,000 km in 18 months, having visited trade events and exhibitions across Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, The UK, The Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium and Spain.

The Abu Dhabi 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.

Etihad Airways CEO Peter Baumgartner 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 ATM, 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," he added.

It 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, said a statement from Etihad.
 
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, it stated.

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.-TradeArabia News Service