Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways carried 22.4 million passengers in 2025, an increase of 21 per cent year-on-year and the highest annual total in its history.

The UAE national carrier’s passenger load factor in 2025 reached 88.3 per cent, up two percentage points compared with 2024, reflecting strong commercial performance throughout the year.

The increase in passenger traffic was driven by sustained demand and disciplined capacity growth across its expanding global network.

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In December 2025 alone, the airline carried 2.2 million passengers, up 28 per cent compared with the same month in 2024, with passenger load factor reaching 87.6 per cent during the peak end-of-year travel period.

Etihad said its growth in 2025 accounted for approximately 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.

The UAE airlines have greatly benefited from the growth of the global aviation industry in the post-pandemic years. The local airlines aggressively expanded their routes, added new aircraft, and hired new employees over the past four years.

Etihad plans to invest $10 billion (Dh36.7 billion) over the next five years in new aircraft and will continue to hire 2,500 people a year, its chief executive Antonoaldo Neves said in December.

“It's been only about three years, and we have doubled the size of the airline. We have just announced 31 destinations. We came from an airline that was at the bottom of the profitability rankings about three years ago.

We're going to be investing about $10 billion in the next five years in new aircraft to double the airline, and cash flow generation is coming very strong,” said Antonoaldo Neves during a panel discussion at the Abu Dhabi Finance Week.

‘Better positioned than ever’

Antonoaldo added that 2025 was a year of strong growth for Etihad.

“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,” he said.

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

At year-end, Etihad’s operating fleet stood at 127 aircraft, following the addition of 29 aircraft during 2025 – the largest single-year fleet expansion in its history. T

his growth included the introduction of the Airbus A321LR, extending Etihad’s premium cabin product to a wider range of short- and medium-haul destinations and supporting continued network expansion.

The airline added 16 new routes, taking the number of destinations it is serving to 110 at the end of December 2025.