Etihad pushes annual carryings up to record level

Etihad Airways carried almost a quarter more passengers last year than in 2024, official figures show.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline saw volumes rise by 21% to a record 22.4 million as the number of destinations served grew by 16 to 110.

The passenger load factor for the full year rose by two percentage points to 88.3%, “reflecting strong commercial performance throughout the year”.

The overall increase, including a 28% rise in December to 2.2 million carryings, was underpinned by “sustained demand and disciplined capacity growth” across its expanding global network, according to the Gulf carrier. 

The addition of 29 aircraft, including introduction of single aisle Airbus A321LRs, gave Etihad a fleet of 127 aircraft at the end of the year.

Etihad’s performance in 2025 accounted for about half of total passenger growth in the UAE, based on reported projected airline traffic growth across the country, “reflecting the airline’s central role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s tourism and economic ambitions”.

Chief executive Antonoaldo Neves said: "2025 was a year of strong growth for Etihad. We carried more than 22 million passengers - the highest annual total in our history – while improving our service, product and customer  satisfaction across the year.

“Closing the year with a record December reflects the confidence our customers place in our product and service. 

"With the largest fleet in Etihad’s history, of 127 aircraft, Etihad is better positioned than ever to welcome more visitors to Abu Dhabi and deliver extraordinary travel experiences for our guests across a rapidly expanding network. 

"The year’s achievements reflect our team’s execution and our customers’ confidence in our premium service.

“As we move into 2026, we remain committed to safety, customer service and sustainable growth that benefits Abu Dhabi and the communities we serve.”