Etihad Airways has just announced impressive financial results for the first quarter of 2025, boasting a profit of $187 million (AED 685 million), a significant 30% increase from the previous year. In a recent statement released on May 21, 2025, the airline hailed this achievement as a record-breaking performance driven by a combination of strong passenger demand and operational efficiencies.

Total revenue experienced a healthy 15% surge compared to Q1 2024, attributed to the solid performance of both the passenger and cargo segments. Notably, Etihad proudly revealed that they served a whopping five million passengers in the first quarter of 2025, marking a substantial 16% increase compared to the previous year, with nearly 20 million passengers flown in the past 12 months.

Excitingly, customer satisfaction reached an all-time high in Q1 2025, with scores showing a remarkable 20% improvement from the previous year. The airline pointed out various areas where significant enhancements were noted, such as check-in procedures, boarding processes, in-flight services, dining options, Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as the upgraded website and mobile app. Additionally, new lounge facilities and in-flight menus were introduced during this period.

Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, shared his perspective on the achievement, stating, “We’re executing a clear strategy: grow sustainably, operate efficiently, and never lose focus on delivering remarkable experiences to our guests.”

Passenger revenue also experienced a substantial upswing of 16% to $1.5 billion (AED 5.5 billion) driven by increased capacity, network expansion, and enhanced flight frequencies. This growth was further bolstered by a 14% year-on-year increase in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) and an improved passenger load factor of 87%.

Despite a 4% decline in cargo volumes, cargo revenue managed to climb by 8% year-on-year owing to improved cargo yield, indicating a strong performance in this segment. Notably, operational excellence was highlighted as EBITDA saw an impressive 32% rise to $379 million (AED 1.4 billion) in Q1 2025.

Moreover, Etihad successfully reduced net leverage from 1.9x in March 2024 to 1.1x, while cash flow from operations recorded a notable 11% year-on-year growth, reaching $500 million (AED 1.8 billion). The airline's fleet expanded to 98 aircraft by the end of the quarter, with the sixth A380 back in service. Furthermore, an additional A350-1000 joined the fleet in April 2025.

Heading into the year, Etihad anticipates further growth, having served 80 destinations as of March 2025, with plans to launch 16 new routes throughout the remainder of 2025. The airline's commitment to sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and delivering exceptional guest experiences seems poised to continue propelling its success in the aviation industry.