Emirates Airline Soars with 18.1 Million Passengers Transported in 10 Months

Etihad Airways carried 18.1 million passengers in the first ten months of 2025, marking a 19% jump from 15.2 million passengers in the same period last year. The UAE's national carrier also expanded its fleet to 120 aircraft and now serves 114 destinations, showing how Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a major aviation hub in the Middle East.

The airline maintained an impressive 88% load factor throughout the ten-month period, up slightly from 87% last year. This metric shows Etihad is filling nearly nine out of every ten seats on its flights, which is crucial for profitability in the competitive airline industry.

October alone saw 2 million passengers fly with Etihad, a 28% increase compared to October 2024. The strong monthly performance reflects broader travel recovery trends across the Gulf region, where airlines are benefiting from increased business travel and tourism.

Etihad's fleet expansion has been significant this year. The airline grew from 97 aircraft in October 2024 to 120 aircraft by October 2025, a 23% increase. At the same time, the carrier added 27 new destinations, bringing its total network to 114 cities compared to 87 destinations a year ago.

CEO Antonoaldo Neves said the October growth rate of 28% builds on momentum from the first nine months of the year. He pointed to the airline's operational performance and sustained high occupancy rates as signs of a strong finish to 2025.

For investors and the aviation sector, Etihad's numbers matter because they show how Middle Eastern carriers are capturing market share from traditional European and Asian hubs. The airline's expansion comes as Abu Dhabi invests heavily in becoming a global transit point, competing directly with Dubai's Emirates and Qatar Airways.

The consistent load factors above 87% suggest Etihad is managing capacity well while growing rapidly. This balance is often challenging for airlines, as adding too many seats too quickly can hurt profitability if demand doesn't keep pace.