Etihad Airways closed 2024 as the third consecutive year of profitability, with FY24 profit after tax more than three times that of FY23. The airline launched more than 20 new destinations and added 12 aircraft including the return to service of the fifth A380 and introduction of six A320 NEOs. With new fleet joining in 2024, passenger numbers increased by 32 per cent year-on-year, rising from 14.0 million to 18.5 million. Passenger load factor reached 87 per cent, despite a 28 per cent year-on-year increase in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK).
Total revenue saw a remarkable year-on-year increase of 25 per cent to Dh25.3 billion ($6.9 billion), driven by a robust performance in both passenger and cargo business.
“Demand continues to feel strong in the market,” Tiago Phillimore, Director of Digital Marketing & eCommerce, Etihad Airways, told Kim Thomson of
TTN on the sidelines of ITB Berlin. “We will have 14 new destinations in 2025.
“While in 2024, we focused on increasing frequencies in European destinations, for 2025, the new routes will be in the APAC region, mostly in Southeast Asia.”
While in 2024, we focused on increasing frequencies in European destinations, for 2025, the new routes will be in the APAC region, mostly in Southeast Asia
These destinations include Chang Mai and Krabi in Thailand, Medan in Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taipei in Taiwan, Hanoi in Vietnam to name a few. Other new destinations to be launched this year include Alamein in Egypt, Algiers in Algeria and Tunis in Tunisia alongside Atlanta in the US, which will start with four times a week from July 3, and increase to daily from November, due to high demand, Phillimore tells us.
GROWING FLEET
To support these new routes and extended growth, the airline is adding some new Airbus A350s and also Boeing 787-9s, while also reactivating a few more A380s,
TTN learns. “We will be strong from a fleet point of view. Obviously, the market has been very difficult in terms of deliveries, with both Boeing and Airbus feeling the effects of COVID, but we are doing our best to make sure that those delays are mitigated and we are not jeopardising the growth of the destinations,” Phillimore says.
A big refurbishment plan is in place for Etihad’s Boeing 777’s, while the rest of fleet is continuously being improved. “The most relevant addition to the fleet is going to be the Airbus 321LR, the long-range version of the Airbus 321Neos. With its extended range and fuel efficiency, this aircraft will allow us to fly more often and longer destinations. Although a single-aisle aircraft, it will have a three-class configuration, with economy, business class with full flat seats and first-class seats. The customer experience as a whole will be reinforced, with the premium position that passengers look for in Etihad Airways.”
NEW DIGITAL INTERFACE
In February, Etihad Airways launched a bold new digital experience, with a new website and a new app. “One of the key aspects that we want to make sure of going forward, beyond the hard product and beyond the customer service, is to upgrade the digital touch points to the premium level that our customers need.”
“We want to reinforce that the experience you get when booking is the same experience you get on board our flights, at Zayed International Airport and throughout all touchpoints.
“We are focused on growing all channels, our trade partners will continue to be one of the key partners we have, both digital and direct channels,” Phillimore says. “We are growing very fast on the direct side, which is obviously growing faster in the digital space than on the trade partners side, but the trade partners still remain as our main channel and the work we do collaboratively is important.
“Especially when opening new markets, it is a key point for us to have the right partnerships, to have the right people in place, and the right teams.”
As part of the larger digital initiative, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Etihad Airways launched the new Abu Dhabi Pass at ITB Berlin, transforming the visitor experience into a fully digital journey. “On stopover flights, our passengers already have a complimentary two-night stay, and now with the Abu Dhabi Pass, it complements their stay by providing access to attractions, SIM cards, transportation and more at a single touchpoint.”
