Etihad Airways expects to carry 21.5 million passengers in 2025, more than double its 2022 total, as it expands its fleet and increases route frequency, according to Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves.
Speaking to Emirates News Agency (WAM), Neves said 18 aircraft are scheduled for delivery this year, of which two have already joined the fleet. The carrier plans to end the year with between 115 and 120 aircraft, up from around 80 in 2022.
The airline transported more than 10 million passengers in the first half of 2025. Profit margins have grown from 3% in 2023 to around 6% in 2024, and are forecast to reach 7 to 8% this year. Neves said the company is funding its growth using internal cash flows.
Etihad’s network is approaching 100 destinations. Most of the additional capacity this year is focused on existing routes. Frequencies have doubled in Frankfurt and Barcelona, while Bangkok now sees up to five daily flights. New York has expanded from one to two daily flights, and Atlanta now operates daily instead of five times a week.
Neves said that two-thirds of the increased capacity is allocated to existing markets, with the remaining one-third to new destinations. The strategy is aimed at reinforcing the airline’s position in core markets.
The airline plans to expand further in India, Pakistan, and the broader Middle East, aiming for at least two daily flights to all destinations in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the eastern United States. Etihad currently operates four daily flights to cities including Colombo, Riyadh, Jeddah, Mumbai and Muscat.
This week, Etihad is set to receive its first A321 Long Range aircraft in Hamburg. It will be the airline’s first narrow-body aircraft to include a first-class cabin with lie-flat seats.
The airline plans to grow its fleet to around 200 aircraft and carry 38 to 39 million passengers annually by 2030.
Neves said the expansion is supported by the capacity at Zayed International Airport and Abu Dhabi’s population growth, which he noted averages 7% annually. He cited demand from international events, tourism, and cultural activities as key drivers of inbound and outbound travel.
To mitigate delivery delays from manufacturers, Etihad has brought forward leased aircraft and reinstated seven A380s. Neves said the airline is now better equipped to manage shifts in demand as it works towards its long-term growth targets.
