Etihad Airways Net Profit Surges 50 Per Cent in 2025, Reaching AED11.7 Trillion
Abu Dhabi-based airline Etihad Airways reported a strong net profit of US$698 million (approximately IDR11.7 trillion, using an estimated exchange rate of IDR16,770 per US dollar) throughout 2025. This figure represents growth of nearly 50 per cent year-on-year.
Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves attributed the performance improvement to a combination of expansion and sustained investment in service quality. This business strategy combination successfully increased company profits.
“We have invested significantly in our product and customer satisfaction. We continue to expand by increasing capacity. So I can say this is a combination of various efforts we have undertaken,” Neves said, as quoted by CNBC International on Friday, 27 February 2026.
Capacity and Demand Drive Growth
Etihad Airways reported passenger numbers increased 21 per cent to 22.4 million in 2025. This growth aligned with fleet expansion to 127 aircraft after the airline added 29 new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, and resumed operating the large-bodied A380.
The capacity increase directly supported the surge in demand and operational efficiency. Etihad’s seat load factor reached 88 per cent throughout last year and showed increasingly strong trends in early 2026.
“Our load factor reached 88 per cent last year. This year, we have recorded many days with a fill rate of 90 per cent. That would not be possible if economic conditions were not strong,” Neves said.
He also noted that premium class demand showed significant upward trends. According to him, this reflected the recovery of global mobility and increased international travel activity.
New Route Expansion Accelerates Growth
Beyond adding to its fleet, Etihad also expanded its international network by opening new routes to Prague, Hanoi, and Hong Kong throughout 2025. This expansion strengthens the airline’s position in Asian and European markets.
“The good news is that new markets are performing far better than we expected. These markets are developing much faster than we anticipated,” he said.
Going forward, Etihad plans to continue expanding to China, Southeast Asia, and Europe to capitalise on the momentum of global demand growth. The airline also expects to receive approximately 20 additional aircraft this year, predominantly from Airbus, to support its long-term expansion strategy.