Etihad Airways targets 8% increase in flights by mid-June

Etihad Airways expects to exceed pre-war capacity levels by mid-June 2026 as the UAE carrier continues restoring services following months of disruption caused by the Iran war.

 

Speaking at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Etihad Aviation Group CEO Antonoaldo Neves said the airline expects to be operating around 8% above year-earlier levels by 15 June 2026.

 

The carrier is also purchasing a double-digit number of widebody aircraft, though the manufacturer and final order size were not disclosed.

 

The CEO said Etihad is not currently considering further capacity reductions, arguing that maintaining full aircraft is a more effective way to manage costs than cutting services. “The biggest cost we have is an empty plane, so the way I cut cost is I don’t have empty planes,” Neves added.

 

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The recovery comes as airlines across the Middle East continue to rebuild schedules following months of operational complexities caused by the war. While some carriers are restoring services and adding capacity, others remain cautious as higher fuel costs, airspace restrictions and longer routings continue to affect operations. 

 

Emirates recently reduced its June 2026 schedule by 14%, removing nearly 500,000 seats from the market, according to aviation analytics company Cirium. Several international carriers have also extended suspensions or delayed planned resumptions to parts of the region, including British Airways, KLM and Cathay Pacific, among others.

 

According to the IATA, global passenger demand grew 2.1% in March 2026, while Middle East traffic declined as airlines adjusted schedules and routes amid airspace restrictions and operational challenges.

 

Etihad has meanwhile continued expanding its network. The airline recently announced plans to increase services between Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to three daily flights from 1 July, operating two Airbus A380 services alongside a Boeing 787-9 rotation.

 

The carrier has also expanded its loyalty offering through a new partnership between Etihad Guest and Bangkok Airways’ FlyerBonus programme, allowing members to earn and redeem rewards across both airlines’ networks.

 

For more information, visit www.etihad.com