Etihad Airways projects H1 results to reveal profits surpassing 1.7 billion Dh in 2025, with profits on the rise.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is poised to surpass its record Dh1.7 billion 2024 profit this year, according to CEO Antonoaldo Neves. The airline has already revealed its second-quarter results to its board and is confident about the first half numbers.
The expected record-breaking profit is mainly due to several key factors. Firstly, Etihad plans to increase its fleet size to 115-120 aircraft by the end of 2025, with 18 new jets being delivered this year alone. This fleet expansion allows the airline to increase capacity and route offerings, contributing to revenue growth.
Secondly, the airline transported more than 10 million passengers in the first half of 2025 and is on target to exceed 21.5 million passengers for the entire year. This significant rise in passenger numbers drives higher ticket sales and ancillary revenues.
Thirdly, profit margins are forecast to improve to between 7-8% in 2025, compared to around 6% in 2024 and 3% in 2023. This indicates both revenue growth and better cost management contributing to stronger profitability.
Under CEO Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad has implemented strategies around cost optimization, network rationalization, and fleet modernization. Initiatives like the "Journey 2030" strategy and infrastructure upgrades at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (with tripled passenger capacity) support operational efficiency and enhanced customer experiences, strengthening the airline’s competitive position.
In the first quarter of 2025, Etihad Airways posted a net profit of AED 685 million (~$186 million), a 30% increase year-on-year. Forward bookings look robust, adding confidence to expected full-year results.
Neves stated that while he is excited and confident about the airline’s performance, the industry is volatile and requires constant attention. The load factor for Etihad Airways improved to 87 per cent during the first quarter of 2025.
Other UAE Airlines Also Report Record Profits
The UAE travel and tourism sector has been experiencing strong growth, leading to record profits for many UAE airlines. Aside from Etihad Airways, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and flydubai have also reported record-breaking financial results in recent times.
Flydubai, for instance, announced record-breaking annual results for its financial year ending December 21, 2024, with a pre-tax profit of Dh2.5 billion, a 16 per cent growth compared to the previous financial year. The airline's total revenue for the financial year ending December 21, 2024 was Dh12.8 billion ($3.5 billion), marking a 15% increase compared to Dh11.2 billion ($3 billion) in 2023. The strong performance was driven by the strength of its diverse network and its strong and agile business model.
Emirates, the UAE national airline, reported a record profit after tax of Dh19.1 billion in May 2025, outstripping last year’s Dh17.2 billion. The airline's record profit in 2024-25 was the best performance in the airline's history and the airline industry for the reporting year.
Neves did not give specific guidance about this year’s profits but expects them to be better than last year. Despite the optimism, he emphasized the need for constant vigilance in the volatile airline industry.
Etihad Airways, in the first quarter of 2025, posted a net profit of AED 685 million, showing a 30% increase year-on-year. This profit surge is not isolated as other UAE airlines, like Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and flydubai, have also reported record-breaking financial results. Flydubai, for instance, announced a pre-tax profit of Dh2.5 billion for its financial year ending December 21, 2024, marking a 16% growth compared to the previous year.
Emirates, the UAE national airline, outperformed last year with a record profit after tax of Dh19.1 billion in May 2025, setting a new benchmark in the airline's history and the airline industry for the reporting year. These profitable trends in the UAE travel and tourism sector highlight the promising state of the business, real estate, and travel sectors.
Despite the record-breaking profits, CEO Antonoaldo Neves emphasizes the need for constant vigilance in the volatile airline industry, acknowledging that the industry requires ongoing attention to maintain its growth momentum into the realm of history, news, entertainment, and lifestyle magazines, and the travel sector at large.
