On Wednesday, Etihad Airways reported a remarkable Dh1.1-billion net profit and record-breaking passenger numbers for the first half of 2025, anticipating even greater results in the latter half.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline saw a 32% year-on-year profit increase from January to June 2025, spurred by strong customer demand, enhanced productivity, efficiency improvements, and better yields in both passenger and cargo areas.
Total revenue saw a 16% year-on-year rise, reaching Dh13.5 billion. Passenger earnings hit Dh11.3 billion, driven by network expansion and a surge in passenger demand.
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“We’re already surpassing the growth targets in our strategy,” stated Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways.
“We’re experiencing a 15 to 16% growth year on year, and the second half of 2025 is expected to be even stronger in terms of growth.”
During the first half of 2025, the airline recruited over 1,700 new staff, including more than 100 pilots and 1,000 cabin crew. Internal career advancement was equally robust, with over 1,100 promotions across the company.
Projected 3-million passenger increase in 2026
Etihad transported 10.2 million passengers in H1 2025, marking a 17% year-on-year growth, supported by a 14% increase in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) and an enhanced passenger load factor of 87%, a 2% year-on-year rise.
The operating fleet surpassed 100 aircraft, including the delivery of Etihad’s sixth Airbus A350 in April. Over the last 18 months, more than 20 new aircraft were added.
In July 2025, the airline incorporated five new aircraft into its fleet, including its first A321LR, representing the highest single-month delivery count in its history.
Neves noted that the airline expects to carry around 21.7 million passengers this year.
“July and August were exceptionally good for us. Furthermore, we have more aircraft arriving in the next four to five months and several new destinations are being launched. We also aim to continue expanding next year. We’re actively discussing plans for 2026 to 27 as part of our midterm strategy,” he mentioned.
The Etihad executive added that the business environment in Abu Dhabi and the UAE is “very positive.”
“So, I see no reason why we wouldn’t exceed 21 million passengers this year. Next year, we might add 2 to 3 million more, reaching 24 to 25 million passengers,” he stated during the media briefing.
The Etihad executive mentioned that more than 1,500 people were hired and over 1,000 employees were promoted in the January-June 2025 period.
