Post by : Badri Ariffin

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has delivered an unprecedented performance in the first nine months of 2025, posting record revenue, passenger growth, and operational milestones. The airline’s profit after tax surged to AED 1.7 billion (U.S.$ 463 million), a 26% increase over the same period last year, lifting its profit margin to 8%.

Total revenue climbed 18% year-on-year to AED 21.7 billion (U.S.$ 5.9 billion), driven by strong contributions from both passenger and cargo operations. Passenger revenue alone rose 20% to AED 18.2 billion, reflecting higher capacity and an enhanced global network. Cargo revenue also expanded by 8% to AED 3.2 billion, with volumes up 6% compared to last year.

The airline’s operating efficiency remained robust, with EBITDA increasing 27% to AED 4.3 billion and a margin improvement to 20%. Operating cash flow topped AED 6 billion, more than a 40% rise year-on-year.

Etihad transported 16.1 million passengers during the period—the highest in its history—supported by a 17% increase in capacity and a record load factor of 88%. The introduction of the new A321LR fleet has been particularly well-received, offering premium features like private First suites and fully lie-flat Business seats even on narrow-body flights.

Fleet expansion has been a key driver of growth, with the operating fleet reaching 115 aircraft by the end of September 2025, including new Airbus A321LRs, Boeing 787s, and Airbus A350s. Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) increased more than 20% in the third quarter alone, while the airline now operates close to 300 daily passenger flights across over 100 destinations.

Recent network expansion includes inaugural flights to Atlanta and Al Alamein, alongside upcoming destinations such as Salalah, Kazan, and Krakow. In Europe, Etihad added over 500,000 seats this year, strengthening Abu Dhabi’s inbound tourism and connectivity.

Customer satisfaction also reached new heights, with Net Promoter Scores climbing across all cabins and premium experiences setting new benchmarks. The airline was named a Five-Star Global Airline for 2026 by APEX, reflecting its continued focus on service excellence and innovation.

Etihad’s human capital grew in line with its operations, adding more than 2,600 employees in nine months, including over 200 pilots and 1,500 cabin crew, alongside more than 1,500 promotions within the organization.

With these achievements, Etihad Airways not only reinforces its position as a leading global carrier but also highlights Abu Dhabi as a world-class aviation hub.

#Business News