Antonoaldo Neves, the CEO of Etihad Airways, has revealed ambitious plans for the current year, aiming to transport approximately 21.5 million passengers—more than double the number of travelers recorded in 2022.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency, Neves mentioned that this significant increase is bolstered by substantial fleet expansions, which include the delivery of 18 new aircraft by the end of the year. The airline has already received two planes and is anticipating the arrival of 16 additional aircraft from manufacturers in the coming months. The company, which transported over 10 million passengers in the first half of this year, is on track to finish the year with a fleet consisting of between 115 and 120 aircraft.
Neves highlighted the upward trajectory of Etihad Airways’ performance, noting that the airline reached its financial break-even point in 2022 and subsequently reported a profit margin of 3% in 2023, which increased to nearly 6% last year. This year, the profit margin is expected to range between 7% and 8%. He stated that the company is adopting a strategy of gradual margin expansion each year and is funding its growth plans through self-generated cash flow to enhance financial sustainability.
The airline’s network is nearing 100 global destinations, with the number of flights to cities such as Frankfurt and Barcelona increased to twice daily. Furthermore, Bangkok now welcomes five daily flights during peak times.