Image credit: WAM/Website
Etihad Airways has reached a significant milestone, now operating 300 scheduled passenger flights daily, reflecting over 20 per cent year-on-year growth and reinforcing its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing full-service carriers.
This achievement highlights the airline’s strong operational performance, network expansion, and sustained passenger demand, a WAM report said.
Read more-Etihad Airways passenger numbers rise 18% in first 9 months of 2025
“We are expanding destinations, our fleet, and our talented workforce towards our goal of making Etihad the airline everyone wants to fly,” said Captain Majed Al Marzouqi, chief operations and guest officer at Etihad Airways. “This milestone was made possible through our people’s dedication and the trust of our guests.”
In September 2025, Etihad carried 1.9 million passengers, a 21 per cent increase compared to the same month last year, maintaining a high load factor of 89 per cent. Over the first nine months of 2025, the airline flew 16.1 million passengers, an 18 per cent rise year-on-year.
Etihad has launched or announced 31 new destinations this year, including Medan, Phnom Penh, Addis Ababa, and Krabi, bringing its global network to nearly 90 destinations.
Modern infrastructure and growing workforce drive success
The carrier’s fleet has expanded to 115 aircraft, up from 96 in September 2024. Additions include new Airbus A350s, Boeing 787 Dreamliners, A380s, and A321LRs, offering upgraded cabin experiences with private First Suites and lie-flat Business Class seats.
Supporting this growth is the new Zayed International Airport, equipped with advanced biometric systems that enable kerb-to-gate movement in just 12 minutes. The airport’s annual capacity of 45 million travellers positions it as a key enabler of Etihad’s growth strategy.
In the first half of 2025, Etihad welcomed 1,700 new employees and promoted over 1,100 staff across various departments. Its UAE National Talent Strategy, launched earlier this year, aims to double the Emirati workforce within five years, underscoring its commitment to national talent development and Abu Dhabi’s rise as a global aviation hub.
