Etihad Airways has posted its strongest-ever half-year financial results, reporting a net profit of Dh1.1 billion for the first six months of 2025, alongside record passenger numbers. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier said Wednesday that it expects the second half of the year to deliver even stronger growth as network expansion and rising demand continue to drive performance.
Profits rose 32 per cent year-on-year between January and June, supported by robust demand, productivity gains, efficiency improvements, and stronger yields in both passenger and cargo operations. Total revenues climbed 16 per cent to Dh13.5 billion, with passenger revenues alone contributing Dh11.3 billion.
“We are already ahead of the growth levels we set in our strategy,” said Etihad chief executive Antonoaldo Neves. “We are growing about 15 to 16 per cent year-on-year, and the second half of 2025 is going to be even stronger in terms of growth.”
The airline carried 10.2 million passengers during the period, marking a 17 per cent increase compared to the first half of 2024. This was supported by a 14 per cent rise in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) and an improved load factor of 87 per cent, two percentage points higher than the previous year.
Etihad’s operating fleet surpassed 100 aircraft, boosted by the delivery of its sixth Airbus A350 in April and more than 20 new aircraft added over the past 18 months. July 2025 alone saw the arrival of five new aircraft, including its first Airbus A321LR — the highest number of deliveries in a single month in the airline’s history.
The company also expanded its workforce significantly in the first half, hiring over 1,700 employees, including more than 100 pilots and 1,000 cabin crew. Internal promotions were equally robust, with more than 1,100 employees advancing to new roles.
Looking ahead, Etihad expects to carry around 21.7 million passengers in 2025, with projections for a further 2 to 3 million increase in 2026. “July and August were really good for us. We have more planes coming in the next four to five months and many new destinations going online,” Neves told reporters.
He added that the business climate in Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE remained favorable for continued expansion. “I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t be doing 21-plus million passengers this year. Next year, we may put 2 to 3 million more, and we will go to 24 to 25 million passengers.”
With strong financial results, fleet expansion, and rising passenger demand, Etihad Airways is positioning itself for another year of record-breaking growth, further cementing its status as one of the region’s leading carriers.
