Etihad Airways
has reported its August 2024 passenger traffic numbers on September 17, with the airline’s chief executive remarking that the significant increase in passenger numbers demonstrated the carrier’s continued growth momentum.
Strong performance during the summer season
Etihad Airways ended August with 1.7 million passengers, compared to 1.3 million during the same month in 2023, representing a growth of 30.7%.
The airline averaged a load factor of 89% (flat year-on-year (YoY)), which, according to the carrier, reflected its strong performance during the summer holiday season.
Photo: Etihad Airways
In July, Etihad Airways also welcomed 1.7 million passengers. Year-to-date (YTD), the airline had 12 million passengers at the end of August.
According to Antonoaldo Neves, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Etihad Airways, the significant increase in the airline’s monthly passenger numbers demonstrated its “continued growth momentum.”
“We maintained a healthy passenger load factor of 89% for August 2024, even as we expanded our capacity compared to 2023. This robust performance, particularly during the holiday period, underscores the growing preference for Etihad among travellers.”
Significantly growing fleet
The CEO added that its operating fleet grew significantly YoY, with Etihad Airways ending the month with 95 aircraft, compared to 79 at the end of August 2023.
Neves added that Etihad Airways’ ambition and commitment resulted in the increase in fleet size, and the executive noted that the airline’s employees had been working together to achieve this in exceptional time.
Photo: Etihad Airways
At the same time, the airline had managed to consistently achieve an average load factor of over 86% during the 12-month period, Neves noted.
“In the month of August, we brought the last two of the six A321neos
expected in 2024 into operation. In addition, we are now flying to 10 more passenger destinations than at the same point last year.”
Data from the aviation analytics company Cirium showed that YoY, the airline added 33.9% more weekly flights and 28.1% weekly departing seats, with the carrier scheduling 1,754 weekly flights in August.
The expansion of its operations enhanced Etihad Airways’ network and has supported Abu Dhabi’s
position as a global aviation hub and a major tourist destination globally, Neves concluded.
Expanding next summer’s schedule
On September 13, Etihad Airways announced that it would significantly grow the number of frequencies to a host of destinations, including cities in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
Preliminary Cirium data showed that in August 2025, Etihad Airways has planned to have 11.9% more weekly flights resulting in 15% additional weekly seats, expanding the month’s weekly departures to 1,962.
Photo: Carlos Yudica | Shutterstock
At the time, Etihad Airways stated that the new schedule, which was already open for booking, would see the airline flying to some destinations twice daily for the first time ever.
This includes airports such as Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN), Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD), Manchester Airport (MAN), Munich Airport (MUC), Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG), and others.
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Etihad Reconfirms Paris As Its 4th Airbus A380 Destination
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has reconfirmed that Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) will be its 4th Airbus A380 destination from November 1st. The airline will make the route double daily from January 15th, additionally placing the Boeing 787-9 on the route.