Etihad Airways reported a record 2025 profit of AED 2.6bn (US$698m), up 47% year-on-year, marking its fourth consecutive profitable year. Revenue rose 21% to AED 30.7bn, with 22.4m passengers carried (+21%). Fleet expanded to 127 aircraft and network to 110 destinations, while customer satisfaction and cash generation reached new highs. (Image: Etihad)
Etihad Airways25 February 2026
Etihad Airways has delivered its most successful financial year to date, reporting a record profit after tax of AED 2.6 billion (US$698 million) for 2025 — a 47% increase year-on-year and the airline’s fourth consecutive year of profitability.
The milestone caps a year of accelerated expansion, rising demand and operational discipline, positioning Etihad as one of the fastest-growing full-service network carriers globally.
Robust Growth Across All Key Metrics
Passenger numbers climbed 21% to 22.4 million, supported by a matching 21% increase in capacity, with Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) reaching 111.5 billion. Strong demand drove the passenger load factor up to 88.3%, a two-percentage-point improvement from 2024.
Financial performance reflected this growth:
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Total revenue: AED 30.7 billion (US$8.4 billion), +21% year-on-year
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Passenger revenue: AED 25.8 billion (US$7.0 billion), +24%
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Cargo revenue: AED 4.5 billion (US$1.2 billion), +8%
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EBITDA: AED 6.3 billion (US$1.7 billion), +37%
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EBITDA margin: 20%
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Net profit margin: 8.4%, more than double the industry average
Cargo volumes exceeded 700,000 leg tonnes, up 9%, supported by expanded belly-hold capacity and Etihad’s joint venture with SF Express. The airline became the largest cargo operator between mainland China and the Middle East, operating more than 100 monthly cargo services.
Strong profitability translated into solid liquidity, with operating cash flow approaching AED 8.0 billion (over US$2 billion), fully funding capital expenditure while continuing balance sheet deleveraging. In December 2025, Fitch upgraded Etihad’s credit rating for the second consecutive year to AA-, the highest publicly available rating among global airline peers.
CEO Antonoaldo Neves described 2025 as “a defining year” for the airline, crediting sustainable growth, operational excellence and a strengthened financial position for the record results.
Images: Etihad
Expanding Abu Dhabi’s Global Connectivity
Etihad continued to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub. Point-to-point traffic to the emirate rose by 900,000 passengers to 5.5 million, while the airline’s stopover programme more than doubled to 170,000 visitors.
Etihad’s growth accounted for approximately 50% of total passenger growth in the UAE, underlining its central role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s tourism, trade and economic diversification strategy.
The airline’s network expanded from 94 to 110 destinations, supported by the addition of 29 aircraft during the year — the largest fleet expansion in its history. The operating fleet reached 127 aircraft, including A321LR, A350 and B787 deliveries as well as A380 reactivations.
New routes launched from key international markets such as Atlanta, Prague, Warsaw, Addis Ababa, Phnom Penh, Hanoi and Hong Kong, further strengthening inbound connectivity.
Elevating The Guest Experience
Despite rapid expansion, Etihad continued to invest heavily in customer experience. Enhancements included:
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Fully lie-flat seating on A321LR aircraft
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Upgraded dining and amenity kits in premium cabins
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Expanded First Class services including concierge and chauffeur offerings
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A refreshed brand identity
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Launch of a new website and mobile app
These initiatives contributed to a 10% year-on-year increase in Net Promoter Score and record customer satisfaction levels.
The airline closed the year with more than 25 major international awards, including recognition for customer experience, safety and operational performance. In early 2026, Etihad was also ranked the world’s safest full-service airline by AirlineRatings.
Investing In People And Future Growth
To support expansion, Etihad hired more than 3,200 employees in 2025 and promoted approximately 2,200 staff. Recruitment included 1,600 cabin crew and nearly 400 pilots, while internal promotions strengthened leadership and operational depth.
The airline’s workforce now spans 152 nationalities, with continued emphasis on developing UAE national talent through cadet and leadership programmes.
Looking ahead, Etihad reinforced its long-term growth strategy with major aircraft orders announced during 2025, enhancing fleet flexibility and supporting future network expansion.
A Record Year That Sets The Tone
Etihad’s 2025 performance reflects not only cyclical recovery but structural strengthening. With record profits, an expanded fleet, a broader global network and improving customer satisfaction, the airline enters its next phase with financial momentum and strategic clarity.
As Abu Dhabi advances its ambitions as a global aviation and tourism hub, Etihad’s record-breaking year underscores its role as both national carrier and economic enabler — delivering growth at scale while maintaining premium service standards.
Source: Etihad
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