The airline plans to add 20 aircraft per year for the next five years.
Abu Dhabi: UAE’s national carrier Etihad Airways has delivered its strongest-ever financial performance, posting a record Dh2.6 billion profit for 2025, with margins more than double the global airline average.
Airline CEO Antonoaldo Neves said:
“2025 has been a defining year for Etihad, delivering our strongest performance across every key metric and marking our fourth consecutive year of profitability.”
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier’s profit after tax rose 47% year-on-year, with a net profit margin of 8.4%, more than double the industry average of 3.9%, according to IATA’s December 2025 estimates. This achievement underscores Etihad’s fourth consecutive year of profitability.
The airline reported that total revenue rose 21% year-on-year to Dh30.7 billion, driven by strong performance in both passenger and cargo operations. Passenger revenue increased 24% to Dh25.8 billion, supported by rising demand and higher capacity.
CEO Antonoaldo Neves added:
“We are now likely in the top 10% globally in terms of net margins. Our results have improved steadily each year. The strategy we implemented, combined with significant investments in customer service, has positioned us for continued growth. Over the next decade, we plan to invest Dh80 billion in new aircraft.”
He added, “We plan to receive approximately 20 aircraft per year over the next five years.” The focus will remain on new aircraft acquisitions and product enhancements, the CEO said during a media briefing on Tuesday.
Etihad Airways Chairman Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa commented that the airline’s performance reflects the strength of its long-term strategy and underscores its role in advancing Abu Dhabi’s global connectivity and tourism growth.
Fastest-Growing Full-Service Carrier
Etihad Airways carried 22.4 million passengers in 2025, a 21% year-on-year increase, establishing it as the fastest-growing global full-service network carrier in its category. Capacity expanded in line with demand, while the passenger load factor rose to 88.3%
The airline added 29 aircraft in 2025, bringing its fleet to 127—the largest in its history. Its network also expanded to 110 destinations, up from 94 the previous year. New deliveries included the Airbus A321LR and A350, Boeing 787s, as well as A380 reactivations.
Looking ahead to 2026, CEO Antonoaldo Neves stated that the airline will continue executing the strategy set in early 2023, with no major strategic pivots planned.
Robust Cash Flow
Etihad’s strong performance also translated into healthy cash generation, with the airline reporting nearly Dh8 billion in operating cash flow. This has enabled the carrier to fund its ongoing investments while reducing debt.
Despite its rapid expansion, Etihad management emphasized disciplined growth, stating that inorganic expansion through acquisitions is not part of the strategy. The airline will continue to focus on organic growth funded through internal cash generation.
“Every Route Profitable”
When asked about its most profitable routes, CEO Antonoaldo Neves stated that Etihad does not operate any loss-making destinations. He added that new routes—typically taking up to two years to mature in the aviation industry—are becoming profitable within their first year of launch.
CEO Antonoaldo Neves told Gulf News:
“Of course, some markets perform better than others, but on average, we’re extremely satisfied with all the destinations we serve.”
The airline added that its network operates as an integrated system, with strong markets such as Europe and India supporting passenger flows to other regions, including the United States.
Role in Abu Dhabi’s Growth
Etihad Airways’ expansion has played a major role in the UAE’s aviation growth. The airline accounted for around 50% of total passenger growth in the UAE in 2025.
Point-to-point traffic to Abu Dhabi rose by 900,000 passengers year-on-year, reaching 5.5 million. The airline’s stopover programme also saw strong growth during the year.
