ETIHAD A321NEO aircraft. Photo: Achia Balmes Etihad Airways has completed 2025 with 22.4 million passengers, a significant 21% rise from 2024 and the highest number ever in the company’s history. The figures reflect continued strong demand, alongside controlled capacity growth and the gradual expansion of its global network.
The average occupancy rate (Load Factor) for the entire year was 88.3%, an increase of approximately 2% compared to the previous year, which indicates strong commercial performance throughout the year.
December also ended on a high note, with 2.2 million passengers flying with the airline during the month, an increase of 28% compared to December 2024. The monthly load factor was 87.6%, maintaining high utilization even during the peak year-end season.
At the end of 2025, Etihad’s fleet stood at 127 aircraft, after taking on 29 new aircraft during the year, the largest annual expansion in the airline’s history. Among other things, the Airbus A321LR was added to the fleet, enabling Etihad to extend its premium experience to short- and medium-haul destinations and support continued network expansion.
According to aggregate data, Etihad's growth in 2025 accounted for about half of the total growth in passenger traffic in the UAE, underscoring the company's central role in promoting tourism and Abu Dhabi's economy.
Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, Antonoaldo Neves: 2025 was a year of strong growth for Etihad. We carried more than 22 million passengers, the highest annual total in our history, while improving our service, product and customer satisfaction across the year."
Neves added that, with the largest fleet in the company's history, Etihad is better prepared than ever for ongoing growth in 2026, with a commitment to safety, premium service, and sustainable growth for the benefit of Abu Dhabi and the communities in which it operates.