Ethihad Airways achieves unprecedented profit in Q1 operations
Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has reported impressive results for the first quarter of 2025. The airline has recorded a 20% increase in customer satisfaction scores, a record in its history, and a 3% point increase in its EBITDA margin, climbing to 21%.
The strong performance is reflected in the total revenue, which stood at $1.8 billion, marking a 15% increase from the previous year. The seat load factor, a measure of seat occupancy, also reached a new high of 87%, with a 1% point increase.
The airline served 80 destinations by the end of Q1 2025, and its cargo segment contributed positively to its revenue with an 8% increase, despite a slight decrease in volume. The passenger business accounted for $1.5 billion of Etihad's Q1 2025 revenue.
CEO Antonio Neves attributed the record quarter to a clear strategic focus on sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and customer experience. He highlighted the airline's targeted investments in travel experience, including new lounges, improved digital services, and faster Wi-Fi connections.
Etihad is also driving innovation and differentiation with the introduction of new aircraft types like the A350-1000 and the reactivation of the A380, including the exclusive "The Residence" suite. The airline also plans to add 16 more routes to its network in 2025.
In the world of aviation journalism, Dominik Lelle, a passionate traveler and member of the online editorial team at AERO INTERNATIONAL since 2023, is making the industry accessible and engaging for readers. Outside of the editorial office, Lelle is always eager to discover new horizons.
In a notable development, Etihad Airways introduced the new First Class cabin on the A321LR, making it the first airline in the Middle East to do so on narrow-body aircraft. The cabin offers private suites, flat business class seats, and personal concierge and chauffeur transfers.
Despite no relevant information being found about a specific airline achieving a 30% higher post-tax profit in the first quarter of 2025 or about new route plans for that year, Etihad Airways' impressive performance underscores its commitment to growth and excellence in the aviation industry. Approximately 5 million passengers traveled with Etihad Airways in Q1 2025, a 16% increase from the same period last year.
