Etihad Airways significantly boosted its workforce in 2025, hiring more than 3,200 new employees across frontline and corporate roles while promoting around 2,200 staff.
The airline said its recruitment drive aimed to support growth, strengthen leadership, and maintain service quality as operations expanded.
Frontline hiring
Frontline recruitment was a key focus, with around 1,600 cabin crew and nearly 400 pilots joining Etihad last year. In addition, the airline promoted roughly 1,500 cabin crew and 150 pilots, recognising internal talent and supporting career development.
Etihad’s workforce in 2025 spanned 152 nationalities, reflecting the airline’s diverse global operations. The airline also continued its focus on UAE national talent through cadet pilot intakes and leadership development programmes, ensuring Emiratis play a growing role in its long-term operations.
Network and fleet growth
The hiring surge coincided with Etihad’s largest expansion year in its history. The airline added 29 aircraft, growing its operating fleet to 127 planes, including A321LR, A350, B787 deliveries, and A380 reactivations. This allowed increased flight frequency, new international routes, and broader access to and from Abu Dhabi.
Etihad expanded its network from 94 to 110 destinations and increased total landings from 90,000 to over 105,000 in 2025. New routes included Atlanta, Prague, Warsaw, Addis Ababa, Phnom Penh, Hanoi, and Hong Kong.
Financial performance
The airline reported a profit after tax of Dhs 2.6 billion (US$ 698 million), up 47 per cent year-on-year, with a profit margin of 8.4 per cent. Total revenue rose 21 per cent to Dhs 30.7 billion (US$ 8.4 billion), supported by both passenger and cargo growth.
Passenger numbers reached 22.4 million, a 21 per cent increase from 2024, while cargo volumes grew 9 per cent to more than 700,000 leg tonnes. Etihad’s operating performance delivered EBITDA of Dhs 6.3 billion (US$ 1.7 billion) and cash flow from operations of nearly Dhs 8 billion (US$ 2 billion).
Etihad invested in its product and guest experience throughout 2025, including upgrades to cabins, lounges, and digital services.
The airline also received more than 25 international awards for customer service, safety, and operational excellence, including recognition as the World’s Leading Airline Customer Experience and the region’s first Seven-Star Plus Safety Rating.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
