Photo: Shutterstock Etihad Airways continues to deliver exceptional performance into 2025, with record-breaking first-quarter results. The company reports a net profit of 685 million dirhams (187 million USD) — an impressive 30% increase compared to the same period last year, maintaining strong operational profitability with a profit margin of 10%. This is the most profitable quarter in Etihad's history, cementing its position as one of the fastest-growing and most innovative airlines worldwide.
Growth in Revenue, Destinations, and Capacity
The company's total revenues for the quarter stood at 6.6 billion dirhams (1.8 billion USD) — a 15% year-over-year increase.
Passenger revenues rose 16%, amounting to 5.5 billion dirhams (1.5 billion USD), driven by high demand, the opening of new destinations, and increased flight frequencies. The cargo division also contributed with an 8% increase in revenue, despite a slight decline in shipment volume, thanks to improved yield and a focus on premium goods.
The number of passengers surged to 5 million — a 16% rise compared to Q1 2024, with an average load factor of 87% — notably high for the industry. The company also reported a 14% increase in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK), a measure of total seat capacity, due to higher fleet utilization and the addition of more wide-body aircraft into service.
Fleet Expansion and Enhanced Flight Experience: Comfort, Technology, and Luxury
Etihad's fleet now consists of 98 aircraft, including the return of another A380 featuring the luxurious "The Residence." The quarter also saw the delivery of a new A350-1000 and a Boeing 787, both equipped with ultra-fast Wi-Fi and advanced entertainment systems.
The quarter also marked a premium revolution:
In April, the company launched the new A321LR cabin, becoming the first in the region to offer a first-class cabin on a narrow-body aircraft. The cabin boasts private suites, flatbed business seats, and wide-body comfort for medium-haul flights.
The company is set to launch additional premium services this summer: new lounges, concierge service, dedicated check-in, luxury transfers, and the option for baggage-free travel from Abu Dhabi airport.
Record Customer Satisfaction Levels
Customer satisfaction reached an all-time high, with a 20% increase compared to last year. Customers rated the company very highly across a range of areas — check-in service, boarding process, inflight crew, the new menu, Wi-Fi availability, and the new design of the website and app.
The company credits the improvement to a consistent focus on the customer experience: "We are not just improving – we are reinventing the entire travel experience," it stated.
Strong Financial Performance and Long-Term Stability
The company's strong profitability is also reflected in its EBITDA, which stood at 1.4 billion dirhams (379 million USD) — a 32% increase year-over-year, with an EBITDA margin of 21% — an improvement of 3 percentage points.
Additionally, cash flow from operations totaled 1.8 billion dirhams (500 million USD) — an 11% increase. The net leverage ratio improved to just 1.1x — a significant drop from 1.9x last year — as a result of strong cash flow and planned debt repayments.
Looking Ahead: 16 New Destinations
As of the end of March 2025, Etihad flies to 80 destinations worldwide. Throughout the year, 16 new international routes are expected to be added, aiming to expand its global presence and reinforce Abu Dhabi as a global transportation hub.
CEO: "We Will Continue Setting New Industry Standards"
Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad, said: "This is an exceptional quarter – both in profitability and customer experience. The results reflect the stability of our business model and the commitment of our employees. We are growing responsibly, maintaining quality, and delivering real value to passengers and stakeholders."
