Abu dhabi: Etihad Airways has reported its highest-ever nine-month profit, achieving AED 1.7 billion (U.S.$ 463 million) after tax for the first nine months of 2025, marking a 26% increase compared to the same period last year. This has elevated the airline's profit margin to 8%, up from 7% in the previous year.
According to Emirates News Agency, the airline's total revenue rose by 18% year-on-year to AED 21.7 billion (U.S.$ 5.9 billion), bolstered by strong performances in both passenger and cargo segments. Passenger revenue saw a 20% increase to AED 18.2 billion (U.S.$ 4.9 billion), while cargo revenue grew by 8%, reaching AED 3.2 billion (U.S.$ 875 million). These gains were attributed to increased capacity and higher volumes.
Operating performance remained strong, with EBITDA increasing by 27% year-on-year to AED 4.3 billion (U.S.$ 1.2 billion), resulting in an improved EBITDA margin of 20%. The airline also reported robust cash generation, with operating cash flow reaching nearly AED 6 billion (over U.S.$ 1.5 billion), a significant 40% increase from the previous year.
Etihad Airways carried a record 16.1 million passengers in the first nine months of 2025, an 18% rise from last year, supported by a 17% increase in capacity and a higher load factor of 88%. Customer satisfaction also improved, with Net Promoter Scores reaching record levels, especially in premium cabins, partly due to the positive reception of the new A321LR fleet.
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, highlighted the airline's strong performance as a validation of its strategy and the appeal of Abu Dhabi as a destination. He praised the efforts of the Etihad team and the support of its guests, emphasizing the airline's focus on expanding its network and enhancing the guest experience.
Etihad's fleet expanded to 115 aircraft by the end of September 2025, adding nine new aircraft during the third quarter, including its first Airbus A321LR, three Boeing 787s, two Airbus A350s, and one A320. This expansion resulted in a more than 20% increase in Available Seat Kilometres for the quarter. The inaugural A321LR flight to Phuket marked a milestone, introducing wide-body luxury to narrow-body operations in the region.
The airline continued to build network scale and connectivity, operating nearly 300 passenger flights daily to over 100 destinations. New routes to Atlanta, Al Alamein, Salalah, Kazan, and Krakow were launched or announced, strengthening its presence in the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia. In Europe, Etihad added over 500,000 seats in 2025, contributing to Abu Dhabi's inbound tourism growth.
Etihad's commitment to operational efficiency and customer satisfaction was recognized by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), which named it a Five-Star Global Airline for 2026. The airline also expanded partnerships, including loyalty collaborations with Vietnam Airlines and a cargo partnership with Atlas Air.
The airline's growth was supported by the addition of over 2,600 employees in 2025, including more than 200 pilots and 1,500 cabin crew, reflecting the scale of its network and fleet expansion. Over 1,500 employees were promoted, recognizing their contributions and leadership.