Etihad posts nine-month record profit of AED1.7 billion

UAE flag carrier Etihad Airways has reported its highest-ever nine-month profit, posting AED1.7 billion (US$463 million), a 26% rise compared with the same period last year. 

 

Bolstered by robust passenger traffic, the Abu Dhabi-based airline accounted for nearly half of the UAE’s total passenger growth during the period, underscoring its pivotal role in the country’s aviation sector.

 

In line with this performance, revenue for the first nine months rose 18% year-on-year to AED21.7 billion (US$5.9 billion), driven by strong passenger demand. Etihad generated AED18.2 billion (US$4.9 billion) in passenger revenue, reflecting continued network expansion and higher capacity.

 

The airline carried 6.1 million passengers during the period, an 18% increase on 2024, supported by a fleet that has grown to 115 aircraft. With its larger fleet, Etihad operates close to 300 flights daily and serves more than 100 destinations worldwide.

 

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Network development continued at pace during the third quarter, with four new routes launched in a single week last month, linking Abu Dhabi to Krabi, Medan, Phnom Penh and Addis Ababa. Earlier in the quarter, Atlanta in the US and Al Alamein in Egypt were added to the network, bringing the total to 31 new destinations over the past 12 months. Europe is a particular focus, with 500,000 additional seats available for 2025.

 

To support growth, Etihad expanded its workforce by more than 2,600 employees in the first nine months, including 200 new pilots. The hiring aligns with Oliver Wyman’s sector analysis, which highlights the need for an additional 10,300 pilots in the Middle East by 2030 to keep pace with industry expansion.

 

Alongside growth, the airline maintained quality, registering uplifts in Net Promoter Score (NPS) across all cabin classes. 

 

Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said: “Etihad’s performance this year has set a new benchmark, outpacing the market and driving nearly half of the UAE’s total passenger growth. It’s a clear validation of our strategy, the strength of our team, and the appeal of Abu Dhabi as a world-class destination.”

 

The airline’s expansion aligns with Abu Dhabi’s wider tourism momentum. The emirate is targeting 9.3 million annual visitors by 2030 and in 2024 welcomed 3.2 million international overnight guests, a year-on-year increase of 28%.

 

For more information, visit etihad.com