Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways is planning to invest Dh80 billion ($21.8 billion) after reporting a record profit in FY2025, signaling continued confidence in its growth strategy. The airline’s strong financial performance reflects rising travel demand and improved operational efficiency, enabling the carrier to reinvest in expansion, services, and future opportunities across its network.
The strong performance reflects the airline’s continued recovery and operational improvements over the past year. Etihad Airways has been focusing on optimizing its network, increasing passenger traffic, and improving efficiency across its operations. The airline has also benefited from rising international travel demand, which has helped boost revenues and strengthen its overall financial position.
The announced Dh80 billion refers to 80 billion UAE dirhams, the official currency of the United Arab Emirates, highlighting the scale of the airline’s long-term investment plans. In broader terms, this represents a significant financial commitment aimed at supporting the airline’s ongoing development. For Etihad Airways, the investment highlights confidence in its financial position following a strong FY2025 performance and signals plans to further strengthen operations and services.
Speaking during the briefing, Airline CEO Antonoaldo Neves said that
“2025 has been a defining year for Etihad Airways, with the airline delivering its strongest performance across key metrics and marking its fourth consecutive year of profitability.” He also revealed that the carrier plans to receive around 20 aircraft per year over the next five years, with a focus on expanding its fleet and enhancing onboard products and passenger experience.
The planned investment highlights Etihad Airways’s broader strategy to strengthen its global presence and improve operational efficiency. By continuing to invest in new aircraft, onboard products, and services, the airline aims to enhance the passenger experience while supporting its expanding international network. The move also reflects the carrier’s confidence in sustained travel demand and its ambition to position itself as a leading global airline in the coming years.
“We have a plan to invest Dh80 billion in the next 10 years in new aircraft, new products and product enhancements. We’re going to receive about 20 aircraft per year for the next five years. This is a sector that you’re going to be careful with. We have our foot grounded, but we have a lot of ambition. We have to keep working hard and follow our strategy,” Antonoaldo Neves, said during a virtual media conference.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline said Etihad Airways profit grew 47 per cent year-on-year to Dh2.6 billion in 2025 on the back of strong growth in passenger and cargo businesses.
The UAE’s national carrier said passenger numbers increased 21 per cent year-on-year to 22.4 million, positioning Etihad as the fastest growing global full-service network carrier in the world.
The carrier carried 22.4 million passengers, supported by a 21 per cent capacity increase year-on-year, with available seat kilometres (ASK) reaching 111.5 billion. Demand remained strong across the network, with the passenger load factor rising two percentage points year-on-year to 88.3 per cent, demonstrating the execution capability of Etihad’s teams.
Its total revenue increased 21 per cent year-on-year to Dh30.7 billion, driven by expansion across both passenger and cargo businesses.Passenger revenue rose by 24 per cent year-on-year to Dh25.8 billion (US $7 billion), reflecting increased capacity, sustained demand, improved load factor and stronger yields.
Cargo revenue increased by eight per cent to Dh4.5 billion, supported by higher capacity and volumes, with cargo volumes rising nine per cent.
The planned investment highlights Etihad Airways long-term strategy to scale operations and remain competitive in the global aviation market. As new aircraft enter the fleet and services evolve, the airline is likely to focus on expanding key routes, improving operational performance, and delivering a more premium travel experience.