Etihad Airways reports Dh2.6 billion profit, 22.4 million passengers in 2025
Abu Dhabi airline outperforms global industry profitability benchmark
ABU DHABI – UAE national airline Etihad Airways has reported its strongest full-year financial and operational performance on record, marking a fourth consecutive year of profitability as the carrier accelerated global expansion and boosted passenger demand.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline posted a profit after tax of Dh2.6 billion ($698 million) for 2025, up 47 percent year on year, while its profit margin improved to 8.4 percent.
The margin is more than double the global airline industry average of 3.9 percent estimated by International Air Transport Association for December 2025.
Financial surge
Total revenue rose 21 percent year on year to Dh30.7 billion ($8.4 billion), supported by strong performance across passenger and cargo operations. Passenger revenue climbed 24 percent to Dh25.8 billion ($7.0 billion), reflecting higher capacity, sustained demand and stronger yields.
Cargo revenue increased 8 percent to Dh4.5 billion ($1.2 billion), with volumes rising 9 percent to more than 700,000 leg tonnes. The airline also strengthened its cargo position through expanded belly-hold capacity and its joint venture with SF Express, becoming the largest cargo operator between mainland China and the Middle East with more than 100 monthly services.
Operating performance continued to improve, with EBITDA rising 37 percent to Dh6.3 billion ($1.7 billion), delivering a margin of 20 percent. Cash flow from operations reached nearly Dh8.0 billion (over $2 billion), allowing the airline to fully fund capital expenditure while reducing debt.
Passenger growth
Etihad carried 22.4 million passengers during the year, up 21 percent, supported by a similar increase in capacity. Available seat kilometres reached 111.5 billion, while the passenger load factor improved to 88.3 percent.
Point-to-point traffic to Abu Dhabi grew by 900,000 passengers to 5.5 million, compared with 4.6 million in 2024. The airline’s stopover programme attracted 170,000 visitors, more than double the 80,000 recorded a year earlier.
The carrier said its growth accounted for around 50 percent of total passenger growth in the UAE, underlining its role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s tourism and economic ambitions.
Fleet expansion
The airline recorded its largest expansion year, adding 29 aircraft to bring the operating fleet to 127 – the biggest in its history. The network expanded from 94 to 110 destinations, while total landings rose from 90,000 to more than 105,000.
New routes were launched to key inbound markets including Atlanta, Prague, Warsaw, Addis Ababa, Phnom Penh, Hanoi and Hong Kong, strengthening global connectivity to Abu Dhabi.
Guest focus
During 2025, Etihad invested heavily in customer experience, including fully lie-flat seating on the A321LR, enhanced onboard dining and upgraded lounge services. The airline also rolled out a brand refresh alongside a new website and mobile app to improve digital self-service.
These initiatives contributed to a 10 percent year-on-year rise in Net Promoter Score, with improvements recorded across all cabins.
The airline ended the year with more than 25 major international awards spanning customer experience, safety and operations. It also welcomed over 3,200 new employees and promoted around 2,200 staff, including approximately 1,600 cabin crew and nearly 400 pilots, as its workforce expanded to represent 152 nationalities.