Etihad Airways has continued its run of record-breaking results, delivering its strongest-ever performance for the first nine months of a year and maintaining momentum across all major business segments. The latest figures reflect the airline’s expansion, rising customer satisfaction, and ongoing gains in operational efficiency.
For the first nine months of 2025, profit after tax reached AED 1.7 billion (US$463 million), an increase of 26% compared to the same period in 2024. This pushed the airline’s profit margin to 8%, up from 7% a year earlier.
Total revenue grew 18% year-on-year to AED 21.7 billion (US$5.9 billion), supported by robust results in both the passenger and cargo divisions. Passenger revenue climbed 20% to AED 18.2 billion (US$4.9 billion), driven by expanded capacity and an improved network. Cargo revenue rose 8% to AED 3.2 billion (US$875 million), boosted by higher capacity and a 6% increase in volumes.
Operational performance remained strong as well. EBITDA rose 27% year-on-year to AED 4.3 billion (US$1.2 billion), improving the EBITDA margin to 20%, up one percentage point from last year. The airline also continued to generate solid cash flow, with operating cash reaching nearly AED 6 billion (more than US$1.5 billion)—over 40% higher than the prior year.
Etihad transported 16.1 million passengers in the first nine months of 2025, the highest in its history. This represents an 18% year-on-year increase, supported by a 17% rise in capacity and a load factor of 88%, up one percentage point.
Customer satisfaction also continued its upward trajectory, with Net Promoter Scores rising across all cabins and premium cabins reaching new highs. The introduction of the A321LR fleet has been especially well received, establishing a new standard of comfort and service within narrow-body operations.
“Etihad’s performance this year has set a new benchmark, outpacing the market and driving nearly half of the UAE’s total passenger growth,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways. “It’s a clear validation of our strategy, the strength of our team, and the appeal of Abu Dhabi as a world-class destination. We’re expanding, elevating the guest experience, and maintaining our focus on efficiency and performance.
“I want to thank every member of our team for their contribution to these results, and our guests for their continued support. Their trust and enthusiasm inspire us to deliver extraordinary experiences every day.”
By the end of September 2025, Etihad’s operating fleet had grown to 115 aircraft—19 more than a year earlier—during one of its busiest-ever delivery periods. In the third quarter alone, it added nine aircraft: its first Airbus A321LR in July, followed by two additional A321LRs, three Boeing 787s, two Airbus A350s, and one A320. This expansion contributed to more than a 20% year-on-year increase in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) for the quarter. In July, the airline also marked a major milestone by surpassing 20 million passengers on a rolling 12-month basis for the first time.
The new A321LR fleet entered service on 1 August 2025 with an inaugural flight to Phuket, introducing wide-body-style luxury to narrow-body operations within the region. The aircraft offers private First suites, fully lie-flat Business Class seating in a 1-1 layout, and improved design throughout all cabins, elevating the guest experience on single-aisle flights.
With its expanding fleet, Etihad continued to scale its network, operating nearly 300 passenger flights per day and serving more than 100 destinations—91 of which were active as of 30 September. In the third quarter, the airline launched new services to Atlanta and Al Alamein and announced upcoming routes to Salalah, Kazan, and Krakow, further strengthening connectivity across the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia.
In Europe alone, Etihad added over 500,000 seats in 2025, supporting Abu Dhabi’s inbound tourism ambitions. Over the past 12 months, the airline has launched or announced 31 new destinations, reinforcing its mission to make Abu Dhabi one of the world’s most connected global hubs.
Etihad also continued to advance operational efficiency while enhancing the onboard experience. Customer satisfaction reached record highs in 2025 thanks to sustained investment in service, product innovation, and technology. The airline was recognised as a Five-Star Global Airline for 2026 by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), highlighting its commitment to excellence.
During the period, the airline strengthened partnerships and expanded its brand presence, launching a loyalty partnership with Vietnam Airlines and deepening its cargo collaboration with Atlas Air.
Etihad’s growth is underpinned by the dedication of its workforce. In the first nine months of 2025, the company hired more than 2,600 new employees, including over 200 pilots and 1,500 cabin crew, reflecting rapid network and fleet expansion. Additionally, more than 1,500 employees were promoted during the period, acknowledging strong performance and leadership across the organisation.
(Inputs from WAM)
