Etihad Airways announced its strongest half-year results in its history, achieving record levels of profits and passenger numbers during the first six months of 2025.

These results reflect the ongoing momentum in expanding the destination network, improving operational efficiency, and elevating guest experience to new levels of excellence.

The net profit after tax reached AED 1.1 billion, a 32% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

The growth was driven by strong and increasing demand for passenger services, alongside enhanced productivity and efficiency, and improved revenues in both passenger and cargo sectors. Total revenues rose by 16% year-on-year, with passenger revenues up 16% and cargo revenues up 9%.

Strong Financial Performance

Financial performance remained robust, with EBITDA increasing by 24% year-on-year to AED 2.7 billion (USD 739 million), while the profit margin improved to 20% (+1 percentage point year-on-year).

Etihad continued its regional leadership in passenger growth, carrying 10.2 million passengers in the first half of 2025, a 17% year-on-year increase, supported by a 14% increase in available seat kilometers and an improved passenger load factor of 87% (+2 percentage points year-on-year).

In early July, the airline achieved a milestone by carrying over 20 million passengers in a 12-month period, doubling the number recorded in 2022, reinforcing its position as the fastest-growing airline in the region.

Operational Fleet

The operational fleet exceeded 100 aircraft, including the delivery of the sixth Airbus A350 in April and the return to service of the seventh Airbus A380 in May. In the same month, the company announced an agreement to purchase 28 wide-body aircraft from Boeing, supporting Etihad’s ambitions for sustainable growth and long-term network expansion.

Five New Aircraft

In July 2025, Etihad’s fleet saw the largest expansion in the company’s history with the addition of five new aircraft, including the first Airbus A321LR, marking the highest number of aircraft deliveries in a single month.

Etihad launched its new Airbus A321LR in April 2025, becoming the first airline in the region to offer a full first-class experience on a single-aisle aircraft.

The aircraft entered service in early August with its inaugural flight to Phuket, offering private first-class suites and business class seats that convert into fully flat beds, providing a premium and comfortable travel experience for Etihad guests on medium-haul routes.

90 Destinations

This expansion enables Etihad to serve nearly 90 destinations as of June 2025, including year-round and seasonal routes, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as one of the most accessible cities worldwide.

In 2025 alone, Etihad announced 27 new destinations, some of which were launched earlier in the year, attracting millions of visitors directly to Abu Dhabi and onwards globally.

Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Etihad Airways, said: “With 27 new destinations launched or announced this year alone, Etihad Airways is proud to contribute to establishing Abu Dhabi as one of the most connected and accessible cities globally. This growth not only enhances direct connectivity and stopover opportunities in Abu Dhabi but also strengthens the emirate’s role as a key gateway for millions of travelers worldwide.”

Guest satisfaction rates continued to improve across key touchpoints, including airport services, guest experience, and digital platforms. Etihad maintained stable unit costs while enhancing service quality, reflecting its ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional value and excellence to its guests and partners. The First Class Net Promoter Score (NPS) remained at 80 points, the highest in the company’s history, reflecting outstanding sector performance.

Continued Growth

António Aldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said: “We are proud to achieve new record half-year results in Etihad Airways’ history, reflecting our strong financial performance and continuous passenger growth, demonstrating the success of our strategy and the dedication of our team. We are expanding sustainably, investing in premium travel experiences, and attracting unprecedented numbers of visitors to Abu Dhabi through our growing network.”

Neves added: “We have already exceeded the growth targets set in our strategy and continue to focus on efficient execution, committed to ambitious expansion plans based on efficiency, service, and innovation. With new aircraft joining our fleet, new destinations launching, and our premium services flourishing, Etihad continues to redefine aviation standards. These achievements would not be possible without the passion and professionalism of our employees, to whom I extend my sincere thanks for their exceptional dedication.”

1700 New Employees Joined

In the first half of 2025, more than 1,700 new employees joined Etihad Airways, including over 100 pilots and about 1,000 cabin crew members. Internal career growth also gained momentum with more than 1,100 employees promoted across various company departments.