Etihad Airways has reached a significant operational milestone, now running 300 scheduled passenger flights each day.
The increase marks a more than 20% year-on-year growth in daily services and reflects the airline’s strongest performance to date.
This growth supports Abu Dhabi’s position as a key global aviation hub, with Etihad expanding its network, fleet, and workforce in line with rising passenger demand.
Passenger numbers rising
In September 2025, Etihad carried 1.9 million passengers, a 21% increase compared to the same period last year. For the first nine months of the year, passenger numbers reached 16.1 million — an 18% year-on-year rise — with an average load factor of 89%.
Captain Majed Al Marzouqi, Chief Operations and Guest Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “We are expanding the destinations we serve, the fleet we operate, and our talented workforce, all towards our goal of making Etihad the airline everyone wants to fly. This milestone reflects one of the fastest growth trajectories in the global airline industry, made possible by our people’s dedication and the trust of our guests.”
New routes and fleet growth
The airline’s 2025 expansion includes 31 new destinations such as Medan, Phnom Penh, Addis Ababa, and Krabi. Flights to Europe increased by 35% this summer compared to last year.
Etihad’s fleet has grown to 115 aircraft, up from 96 in September 2024. This includes new Airbus A350s, Boeing 787 Dreamliners, additional A380s, and A321LRs equipped with private First Suites and lie-flat Business Class seats for medium-haul routes.
Zayed airport supports growth
Zayed International Airport continues to play a key role in supporting Etihad’s operations. With capacity for 45 million passengers annually and 65 gates, the airport allows for efficient processing, including kerb-to-gate movement in as little as 12 minutes.
Premium lounges and streamlined biometric systems are helping the airline deliver smooth and efficient travel as its global network expands.
Etihad added 1,700 new employees in the first half of 2025, including over 1,000 cabin crew and more than 100 pilots. Around 1,100 employees were also promoted across departments.
As part of its long-term vision, the airline launched a UAE National Talent Strategy this year. The initiative aims to double the number of Emiratis in the workforce over five years and includes development tracks for pilots, engineers, and corporate roles.
“Year-on-year growth across all key metrics reflects the strength of our network and Abu Dhabi’s growing position as a global aviation hub,” said Captain Al Marzouqi. “Our progress is efficient, sustainable and purposeful, driven by the dedication of our people and the continued trust of our guests.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
