Abu Dhabi’s national carrier Etihad Airways has achieved unprecedented growth in 2025, transporting a record-breaking 22.4 million passengers throughout the year. This represents a substantial 21% year-on-year increase, marking the highest annual passenger volume in the airline’s operational history.
The airline’s commercial performance demonstrated remarkable strength, with passenger load factors reaching 88.3% – an improvement of two percentage points compared to 2024 figures. This performance was particularly notable during December’s peak travel period, when the carrier transported 2.2 million passengers with an 87.6% load factor, representing a 28% increase over the same month in the previous year.
Etihad’s expansion accounted for approximately half of the total passenger growth across the UAE aviation sector, underscoring its pivotal role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s tourism and economic development objectives. The airline’s growth strategy included the addition of 29 aircraft to its operating fleet during 2025, bringing its total to 127 aircraft – the largest fleet in the company’s history. This expansion included the introduction of Airbus A321LR aircraft, enabling the extension of premium cabin offerings to shorter and medium-haul destinations.
Network development saw significant progress with the launch of 16 new routes, expanding Etihad’s global reach to 110 destinations by December 2025. CEO Antonoaldo Neves announced ambitious future plans, including a $10 billion investment over the next five years for new aircraft acquisitions and continued annual hiring of 2,500 personnel. Neves emphasized that the airline has doubled in size over the past three years and has dramatically improved its profitability standing within the aviation industry.
The CEO attributed this success to sustained customer confidence in Etihad’s product and service quality, noting that the airline is ‘better positioned than ever’ to welcome visitors to Abu Dhabi while delivering exceptional travel experiences. Looking forward to 2026, the carrier remains committed to maintaining safety standards, enhancing customer service, and pursuing sustainable growth that benefits both Abu Dhabi and the communities it serves globally.