Etihad Airways Reports Record Financial and Operational Performance for 2025
Etihad Airways has announced its most robust financial and operational results in its history for the fiscal year 2025, achieving a record profit of AED 2.6 billion ($698 million). These remarkable results reflect a year marked by accelerated expansion of its network and fleet, increasing demand across global markets, and the company’s ability to scale its operations while enhancing guest satisfaction.
Operational Improvements
The airline’s operational performance showed significant improvement, with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) rising by 37% year-on-year to AED 6.3 billion ($1.7 billion), resulting in a margin of 20%, which is a 2 percentage point increase from the previous year. This strong operational performance, coupled with disciplined unit cost management, contributed to post-tax profits reaching AED 2.6 billion ($698 million), representing a 47% year-on-year growth, while the profit margin increased to 8.4% (+1.5 percentage points year-on-year).
Key Statistics
In 2025, Etihad Airways transported 22.4 million passengers, reflecting an exceptional operational capacity growth of 21% year-on-year, with available seat kilometers totaling 111.5 billion. Demand remained robust across various market segments, with a passenger load factor of 88.3% (+2 percentage points year-on-year), showcasing the operational efficiency of Etihad’s workforce.
This growth was mirrored in impressive revenue performance, with total revenues surging by 21% year-on-year to AED 30.7 billion ($8.4 billion), spurred by strong expansions in both passenger and cargo sectors. Passenger revenues rose by 24% year-on-year to AED 25.8 billion ($7.0 billion), evidencing an increase in operational capacity, sustained strong demand, improved occupancy rates, and enhanced yields. Meanwhile, cargo revenues grew by 8%, totalling AED 4.5 billion ($1.2 billion), bolstered by increased capacity and a 9% rise in transported cargo volume exceeding 700,000 tons.
Leadership Comments
Mohamed Ali Al Shanfari, Chairman of Etihad Airways, remarked, “The record performance achieved by Etihad Airways in 2025 reflects the strength of our long-term strategy and the quality of service delivered by our leadership team and staff. As the national carrier of the UAE, Etihad plays a critical role in enhancing Abu Dhabi’s position on the global aviation map and driving tourism and economic diversification, supporting the emirate’s future aspirations.”
Antónioaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, added, “The year 2025 was a milestone for Etihad, as we achieved the strongest performance ever across all key indicators and marked our fourth consecutive year of profitability. These results affirm the success of our sustainable growth strategy, solidifying our financial position and continuing to deliver a high-quality experience for our guests. I extend my heartfelt thanks to our passengers for choosing Etihad and placing their trust in us for their journeys, alongside gratitude to every member of the Etihad family for their commitment and professionalism, which have contributed to our success amidst unprecedented growth, attracting more visitors to Abu Dhabi. With a stronger financial position, a growing fleet, and a clear vision, we are well-positioned to build on this momentum.”
Continued Growth
Etihad continued to boost both direct and transit passenger traffic through Abu Dhabi in 2025, recording an increase of 900,000 direct passengers annually, rising from 4.6 million in 2024 to 5.5 million in 2025. The airline’s stopover program saw exceptional uptake, attracting 170,000 visitors, more than double the count recorded in 2024, which stood at 80,000. This accelerating growth underscores Etihad’s pivotal role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s tourism ecosystem, attracting more international visitors and increasing hotel stays, driven by the ongoing expansion of its destination network.
In 2025, Etihad’s growth accounted for nearly 50% of the total increase in passenger numbers in the UAE, aligned with national aviation performance expectations, highlighting the company’s crucial contribution to the tourism, trade, and broader economic ambitions of Abu Dhabi. This contribution was driven by the largest expansion in Etihad’s history, with 29 aircraft added to the fleet, increasing the operational fleet to 127 aircraft. This expansion enabled intensified flight frequencies, increased operational capacity, and enhanced global connectivity to and from Abu Dhabi. Thanks to this fleet growth, Etihad expanded its network from 94 to 110 destinations, while the total number of flights rose from 90,000 to over 105,000. The expansion focused on opening new international markets and strengthening direct access to Abu Dhabi from Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.