Etihad Airways today announced achieving its strongest financial and operational performance in its history within its annual results for 2025, marking its fourth consecutive year of profitability. According to a press release issued today, the carrier achieved a profit of AED 2.6 billion ($698 million), a 47% year-on-year growth, while the profit margin improved to 8.4%, more than double the global aviation industry's average net profit margin of 3.9%, according to IATA estimates released in December 2025. Etihad Airways transported 22.4 million passengers in 2025, achieving an exceptional 21% year-on-year growth in operational capacity, reaching 111.5 billion available seat kilometers. Total revenue increased by 21% year-on-year to AED 30.7 billion ($8.4 billion), driven by strong expansion in both passenger and cargo segments. Passenger revenue grew by 24% year-on-year to AED 25.8 billion, while cargo revenue increased by 8% to AED 4.5 billion. The operational performance saw a significant improvement, with EBITDA up 37% year-on-year at AED 6.3 billion ($1.7 billion) and a margin of 20% (+2 percentage points year-on-year). Operating cash flow reached AED 8.0 billion, enabling Etihad to fully fund all capital expenditure requirements for the year while continuing to reduce leverage on its balance sheet. In international recognition of the group's financial strength and strategic trajectory, Etihad received a second consecutive credit rating upgrade from Fitch to AA- in December 2025, making it the highest publicly-rated airline credit rating in the world. Antonioaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, stated that 2025 was a landmark year for Etihad, as we achieved our strongest-ever performance across all key indicators and recorded our fourth consecutive year of profitability. Etihad continued to enhance passenger flows, both direct and connecting, through Abu Dhabi in 2025, with passenger traffic growing by 900,000 year-on-year, from 4.6 million passengers in 2024 to 5.5 million passengers. Additionally, the airline's stopover program saw exceptional demand, attracting 170,000 visitors, more than double the 80,000 visitors recorded in 2024. His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al Shorfa, Chairman of the Etihad Airways Board, stated that the record performance achieved by Etihad Airways in 2025 reflected the strength of its long-term strategy and the quality of performance delivered by its leadership and employees. Etihad Airways' growth in 2025 accounted for nearly 50% of the overall growth in passenger numbers in the UAE, according to the expected performance of air traffic at the country level, confirming the company's pivotal role in supporting Abu Dhabi's tourism, trade, and broader economic ambitions. This contribution was driven by Etihad's largest expansion in its history, with 29 aircraft added to the fleet during the year, increasing the operational fleet to 127 aircraft. Etihad expanded its network from 94 to 110 destinations, including seasonal and cargo destinations, as well as those scheduled to commence operations in the next 12 months, excluding charter destinations. Total flights landed increased from 90,000 to over 105,000. The company welcomed more than 3,200 new employees and promoted around 2,200 employees across various levels in 2025. Attracting talent was a top priority, with approximately 1,600 cabin crew members and nearly 400 pilots joining Etihad during 2025, along with the promotion of around 1,500 cabin crew members and approximately 150 pilots during the year. The workforce at Etihad comprised talent from 152 nationalities in 2025.
