Etihad Airways hired more than 2,600 new employees in the first nine months of 2025, including over 200 pilots and 1,500 cabin crew.
More than 1,500 staff were also promoted during the same period. The airline said the increase reflects the pace of its fleet growth and expanding global network.
Record financial results
Etihad reported its strongest nine-month performance on record. Profit after tax reached Dhs 1.7 billion, up 26 percent from last year. The profit margin rose to 8 percent.
Total revenue increased 18 percent year on year to Dhs 21.7 billion. Passenger revenue rose 20 percent to Dhs 18.2 billion, supported by higher capacity and network expansion. Cargo revenue grew 8 percent to Dhs 3.2 billion.
EBITDA climbed 27 percent to Dhs 4.3 billion, while operating cash flow reached nearly Dhs 6 billion, more than 40 percent higher than last year.
Passenger and fleet growth
The airline carried 16.1 million passengers between January and September, its highest ever for the period. Capacity increased 17 percent and the load factor reached 88 percent.
Etihad’s fleet reached 115 aircraft by the end of September, an increase of 19 compared to last year. The third quarter included deliveries of three Boeing 787s, two Airbus A350s, three A321LRs and one A320. The new A321LR fleet began service on 1 August.
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “Etihad’s performance this year has set a new benchmark, outpacing the market and driving nearly half of the UAE’s total passenger growth. It’s a clear validation of our strategy, the strength of our team, and the appeal of Abu Dhabi as a world-class destination. We’re expanding, elevating the guest experience, and maintaining our focus on efficiency and performance.
“I want to thank every member of our team for their contribution to these results, and our guests for their continued support. Their trust and enthusiasm inspire us to deliver extraordinary experiences every day.”
Network expansion
Etihad operated close to 300 daily passenger flights during the period and served more than 100 destinations, with 91 active by the end of September. New routes launched in the third quarter included Atlanta and Al Alamein, while upcoming routes include Salalah, Kazan and Krakow. The airline said 31 new destinations have been launched or announced in the past 12 months.
Customer satisfaction improved across all cabins. The new A321LR fleet, offering upgraded cabin design and private First suites on select routes, received particularly strong guest feedback. Etihad was named a Five-Star Global Airline for 2026 by APEX.
Partnerships
The airline expanded its partnerships during the period, including a new loyalty agreement with Vietnam Airlines and an enhanced cargo partnership with Atlas Air.
Etihad said its continued performance is supported by its growing workforce and ongoing investment in service quality, network growth and operational efficiency.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
