Etihad Airways Q1 2025 Profit Soars 30% Amid High Passenger Demand

Etihad Delivers Record Q1 Profits in 2025

Etihad Airways has kicked off 2025 with exceptional momentum, reporting a $187 million (AED 685 million) profit in Q1 2025, marking a 30% year-on-year growth. This record-setting performance, announced on May 21, highlights the airline’s growing appeal and operational efficiency.

For B2B travel agents and corporate planners, these numbers signal reliability, increased capacity, and expanded selling opportunities on a global scale.

Passenger Growth and Fleet Expansion

Etihad served 5 million passengers in Q1 2025 alone—a 16% increase over Q1 2024. In total, nearly 20 million passengers flew with Etihad over the past 12 months, with the airline’s Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) rising 14% YoY. The passenger load factor hit 87%, showcasing optimal seat utilisation across its expanding network.

The airline also reported an expanded fleet of 98 aircraft, with the reintroduction of its sixth Airbus A380 and the addition of another Airbus A350-1000 in April.

Revenue Breakdown: Passenger and Cargo Boost

• Passenger Revenue: Rose 16% YoY to $1.5 billion, thanks to route expansions and increased flight frequencies.

• Cargo Revenue: Increased 8%, despite a slight 4% drop in volumes, supported by better yield management.

• EBITDA: Jumped 32%, reaching $379 million (AED 1.4 billion).

The airline also improved its cash flow by 11%, generating $500 million (AED 1.8 billion) in Q1 operations.

Focus on Customer Experience & Innovation

Etihad’s customer satisfaction scores soared by 20%, with improvements in:

• Check-in and boarding

• In-flight service and Wi-Fi

• Food and beverage upgrades

• Enhanced website and mobile experience

Additionally, a new airport lounge and refreshed in-flight menus were introduced, elevating premium travel experiences.

Global Network Reach: 80+ Destinations

As of March 2025, Etihad operates flights to 80 global destinations, having added 16 new routes this year. For B2B agents, this presents lucrative opportunities to diversify packages and access emerging markets through Abu Dhabi’s growing aviation hub.