First-half revenues at Etihad Airways have jumped by 28% to $3.2 billion as passenger numbers hit 6.7 million.
Carryings by the UAE airline were almost 22% higher than the 5.5 million passengers in the same period last year.
Organic growth was supported by codeshare and equity alliance partnerships in the first half, delivering an estimated 1.4 million passengers onto Etihad flights. This was up by 28% year on year and contributed $471 million in revenue or 23% of the airline’s total passenger revenue.
A new codeshare agreement was signed with Brazilian carrier GOL in the second quarter and existing codeshares were expanded with partners such as Jet Airways, Air Berlin, Air Serbia, Air France and South African Airways.
An additional six aircraft will be added in the second half of 2014, including Etihad’s first Airbus A380 and Boeing 787, which start operations in December featuring new first, business and economy class in-flight service.
The A380 will also include The Residence by Etihad, a three-room private cabin, including a living room, separate double bedroom and en-suite shower, together with butler service.
President and chief executive James Hogan said: “At a time when the global airline industry has struggled with high fuel prices, intense competition and a slowdown in the cargo market, Etihad Airways has achieved record success, carrying more passengers and cargo to more destinations around the world, with our biggest fleet to date.
“We have ambitious plans to build on this momentum in the second half of 2014, with five more destinations being introduced into our global network, and our ground-breaking Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 also entering service, which will reinforce our status as a global market leader.”
The airline’s network will increase to 103 destinations by the end of the year, with Yerevan flights launched this month and Rome, Perth, Phuket and Dallas to follow.