Etihad Airways recorded a record performance during the first 9 months of 2025, with a profit after tax of AED 1.7 billion (about $463 million) in the first nine months of 2025, an increase of 26% year-on-year, raising the profit margin to 8% compared with 7% for the same period of 2024.
Total revenue also grew significantly by 18% year-on-year to reach AED 21.7 billion (about $5.9 billion), driven by strong performance in the passenger and cargo segments, according to a press release published on the Etihad Airways website.
Passenger revenue grew by 20% to reach AED 18.2 billion (about $4.9 billion), reflecting increased operating capacity and the expansion of the destination network, while cargo revenue rose by 8% to reach AED 3.2 billion (about $875 million), driven by improved operating capacity and 6% year-on-year growth in cargo volume carried.
Operating performance maintained its strong momentum, as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rose by 27% year-on-year to reach AED 4.3 billion (about $1.2 billion), with the margin improving to 20%, up 1% year-on-year.
The company also continued to generate strong cash flows, with operating cash flow reaching about AED 6 billion (about $1.5 billion), an increase of more than 40% year-on-year.
Etihad carried 16.1 million passengers during the first 9 months of 2025, the highest number of passengers in the company's history, achieving growth of 18% year-on-year, supported by a 17% increase in operating capacity and an improvement in the passenger load factor to 88%, up 1% year-on-year.
Customer satisfaction indicators also continued to rise during 2025, with the Net Promoter Score improving across all categories, especially in premium cabins. The new Airbus A321LR fleet has received wide praise from customers, along with the quality of service on board single-aisle aircraft.
Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, explained that the company's overall performance exceeded market growth rates and that we contributed nearly half of the total growth in passenger traffic in the UAE.
He added that this performance reflects the success of our strategy, the strength of our teams and the appeal of Abu Dhabi as a world-class destination. Etihad continues to expand with confidence and to elevate its guests' experience, while maintaining the highest standards of efficiency and performance.
The number of aircraft in Etihad Airways' operating fleet reached 115 by the end of September 2025, an increase of 19 aircraft year-on-year, in one of the most active delivery periods in the company's history.
During the third quarter of the year, 9 new aircraft joined the fleet, including the first Airbus A321LR in July, followed by two more of the same type, 3 Boeing B787s, two Airbus A350s and an A320.
This helped raise available seat kilometers by more than 20% year-on-year during the third quarter. In early July, the company achieved a milestone by carrying more than 20 million passengers in a 12-month period for the first time in its history.
Thanks to the expansion of its operating fleet, Etihad strengthened its global connectivity and expanded its range of destinations, as the company operates about 300 passenger flights daily, while the network includes more than 100 destinations, 91 of which were operated as of September 30.
During the third quarter of this year, Etihad launched its inaugural flights to Atlanta and Alamein, and announced new destinations including Salalah, Kazan and Krakow, strengthening its presence in the Middle East, Europe and Central Asia. In Europe alone, Etihad added more than 500,000 seats in 2025, underlining its role in supporting tourism growth to Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Airways has thus launched or announced 31 new destinations over the past 12 months, affirming its commitment to making Abu Dhabi one of the most connected cities in the world.
Etihad continued to enhance its operational efficiency alongside elevating the customer experience, as customer satisfaction rates reached their highest levels in 2025, reflecting continued investment in developing products and services and fostering innovation. The airline was also rated a "Global Five Star Airline for 2026" by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX).
During the same period, Etihad strengthened its strategic partnerships and the global presence of its brand, including launching a new loyalty partnership with Vietnam Airlines and expanding the scope of cargo cooperation with Atlas Air.
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