Etihad transports 8.7 million passengers in first half of 2024

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Etihad Airways, the UAE’s flag carrier, carried 8.7 million passengers in the first half of 2024, as per its preliminary traffic statistics.

The airline said it carried 1.5 million guests in June alone, with an average passenger load factor of 86 per cent, across the month as it services new destinations amid soaring international travel.

Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, highlighted the airline’s recent achievements, “Year to date, we have flown 8.7 million passengers, an increase of nearly 2.5 million, almost 40 per cent, compared to the previous year, and as of June 2024, our rolling 12-month passenger tally stands at 16.4 million.”

Etihad had an operating fleet size of 92 aircraft compared to 76 in 2023.  Neves added, “Our passenger load factor is healthy at 85 per cent for the year, even though we have seen significant capacity expansion compared to 2023.”

“Furthermore, our operating fleet has grown to 92 aircraft, up from 76 at June 2023, and we are flying to 10 more passenger destinations than at the same point last year.” The airline plans to increase its fleet size to 150 aircraft by 2030.

Route expansion

In June, Etihad expanded its network, launching eight additional locations including Bali, Jaipur and Al Qassim and seasonal destinations Nice, Antalya, Mykonos, Santorini and Malaga.

The airline also unveiled a special livery on one of the three A321neos that have already joined its fleet this year, with a further three joining shortly.

IPO

Earlier this year, Etihad Airways’ had reported a first-quarter profit of $143m (Dhs526m), up from Dhs59m for the same period a year earlier, driven by a robust increase in passenger revenue and reduced net finance costs ahead of the carrier’s possible public offering.

The airline had carried carried 4.2 million passengers in the January-March period, while passenger revenue came in at Dhs966m, up 25 per cent from the previous year.

Read: Etihad Airways adds new routes to Antalya, Bali, Jaipur and Al Qassim