Photo: Etihad Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is expanding its aircraft fleet. The company confirmed today (May 26) an order for 28 wide-body Boeing aircraft.
Since 2023, the airline has expanded its fleet as part of a long-term strategy to double in size by 2030, in accordance with evolving network and operational needs.
The agreement includes a combination of Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft, powered by GE engines. The aircraft are expected to join the fleet starting in 2028 and will support Etihad's existing plans for growth in connectivity, operational efficiency, and passenger experience.
"This commitment reflects our approach to diligent fleet management and expansion according to demand and our long-term network plans," said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways.
"Since 2023, we have consistently added to our fleet, and this latest step ensures we continue to meet our future requirements. The addition reflects Abu Dhabi's ongoing investment in aviation as a key enabler of connectivity, tourism, and trade."
And not only in the Middle East and the Gulf are they equipping, but in the East as well. Earlier today, we reported that Vietjet from Vietnam ordered 20 wide-body aircraft. In their case, it is not Boeing but Airbus A330neo planes.
It is noteworthy that Etihad currently operates 8 daily flights to Israel, almost without interruption since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023.
Etihad Airways continues to achieve outstanding performance even in 2025, with record-breaking results in the first quarter of the year.
As reported in Passport News, the Emirates-based company announced the best first quarter in its history with a net profit of 685 million dirhams (187 million dollars) — an impressive increase of 30% compared to the corresponding period last year, maintaining strong operational profitability and a profit margin of 10%.
The company's total revenues for the quarter were 6.6 billion dirhams (1.8 billion dollars) — an increase of 15% year-on-year.
Among them, passenger revenues grew by 16% and amounted to 5.5 billion dirhams (1.5 billion dollars) as the number of passengers soared to 5 million — a 16% increase compared to Q1 2024, with an average load factor of 87% — particularly high in the industry.
The company also reported a 14% increase in Available Seat Kilometers (ASK), a metric expressing total seating capacity, thanks to higher fleet utilization and the introduction of additional wide-body aircraft into service.
