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Etihad Scores Its Highest Profit Ever in 2024

DALLAS — Etihad Airways (EY) had an outstanding business year in 2024. The results published for 2024 indicate success across all key factors, along with noticeable improvements in operational efficiency.

A post-tax profit of AED 1.7 billion (USD 476 million) was achieved. Passenger transport revenue reached AED 20.8 billion (USD 5.7 billion), while cargo transport revenue amounted to AED 4.2 billion (USD 1.1 billion).

In 2024, EY also recorded a 32% increase in passengers carried, totaling 18.5 million passengers. Available Seat Kilometers (ASK) increased by 28% compared to the previous year, while the passenger load factor reached 87% in fiscal year 2024, marking a 1% improvement over 2023.

A year-on-year total revenue growth of 25%, amounting to AED 25.3 billion (USD 6.9 billion), was another highlight of Etihad's business success in 2024. Passenger revenue grew by 25% compared to 2023, increasing by AED 4.2 billion (USD 1.1 billion). Cargo revenue saw a 24% rise compared to 2023, driven by a 12% increase in cargo leg tonnes carried.

Etihad, one of the UAE's two national airlines, has achieved business success due to increased total capacity and a growing network, which ensures rising demand for EY's services.

Recent Performance, Fleet Plans, Staffing

Over the past two years, EY has increased flight frequency on 25 routes, and in 2024, it expanded its operations to over 1,700 weekly flights. In addition, more than 20 new destinations were introduced, including Jaipur, Nairobi, Bali, and Boston, as well as popular summer destinations such as Antalya, Nice, and Santorini.

Etihad’s fleet will be expanded with 12 new aircraft, including introducing six A320 NEO aircraft and returning its fifth A380 to operational service. EY's fleet is currently the most efficient and youngest in the Gulf region, aligning with its ESG service enhancements and strategy for reducing carbon emissions while implementing other green agenda initiatives.

Etihad's team comprises over 11,000 employees, with over 2,000 new hires and over 1,500 promotions recorded. UAE nationals now make up 20% of the workforce. Etihad's HR policy is focused on its commitment to the UAE talent development strategy and its role in shaping future aviation professionals.

The UAE talent development programs have resulted in more than 70 Emirati cadet pilots graduating and over 3,000 applications submitted for the new cadet program.

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Exploring Airline History Volume I

David H. Stringer, the History Editor for AIRWAYS Magazine, has chronicled the story of the commercial aviation industry with his airline history articles that have appeared in AIRWAYS over two decades. Here, for the first time, is a compilation of those articles.

Subjects A through C are presented in this first of three volumes. Covering topics such as the airlines of Alaska at the time of statehood and Canada's regional airlines of the 1960s, the individual histories of such carriers as Allegheny, American, Braniff, and Continental are also included in Volume One. Get your copy today!