Etihad Airways Confirms Its Highest Ever Profit

Etihad Airways has broken a record by publishing its half-year results and reporting its highest-ever profit of USD 306 million.

Beyond the airline’s after-tax profit, which rose a staggering 32%, passenger numbers also reached a record 10.2 million in H1 2025.

The passenger figure represents a 17% rise from the same period one year prior, while the overall passenger load factor increased by 2 percentage points to 87%.

Etihad Airways further said that it reached 20 million passengers carried on a 12-month rolling basis in early July, a strong testament to growth across the business and the high levels of demand being experienced.

During the first half of the year, the airline also saw its operating fleet rise above 100, now standing at 106, with the addition of 13 new aircraft to support substantial passenger numbers and overall profit.

With 27 new destinations launched or announced this year alone, Etihad is proud to help position Abu Dhabi as one of the most accessible and connected cities in the world. This growth not only strengthens point-to-point and stopover opportunities but also enhances Abu Dhabi’s role as a gateway for millions of global travellers.

His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Etihad Airways

Passenger revenues sat at USD 3.1 billion, this was also an increase of 16% with support for the passengers, a further 125 pilots were hired, 1,100 cabin crew members and other roles, which brought the total of new employees to 1,750.

Cargo revenue also saw a significant improvement, up 9% to USD 600 million, as the airline continued its efforts to diversify revenue streams.

Etihad Airways Focuses On Expansion

Etihad Airways continued to highlight the strong growth in its report, with the fleet exceeding 100 aircraft, including the delivery of a sixth Airbus A350.

Away from the newest Airbus A350 in April, the airline has also been committed to increasing its reliance on the world’s largest passenger plane, the A380, with the reactivation of the seventh unit in May.

In May, Etihad Airways also confirmed that it would expand its backlog of new aircraft with an order for 28 widebody aircraft from Boeing. This move reinforces its long-term growth targets and ambitions as it advances toward achieving connectivity.

July was a busy month in itself as well, with the addition of a new aircraft to its fleet, the A321LR, part of a broader five new aircraft which were delivered to the carrier and this month, therefore, being its highest number for new deliveries across its history.

The A321LR is expected to play a pivotal role in Etihad Airways’ day-to-day operations moving forward, with an effort to bring the widebody experience passengers have come to know and expect to single-aisle jets, as seen through the inclusion of lie-flat seats.

Meanwhile, the airline has also seen overall growth across its route network, with around 90 destinations served as of June 2025. In 2026 alone, 27 new destinations have been announced in a bid to grow Abu Dhabi.