While Emirates dazzles with luxury cabins and Qatar Airways courts prestige as a five-star global carrier, Etihad Airways is quietly executing the region’s boldest post-pandemic network expansion. With a wave of new destinations, rising passenger numbers, and sharpened operational efficiency, the UAE’s flag carrier is firmly positioned as the Middle East’s fastest-growing airline in 2025.
In 2025 alone, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier has launched or announced 27 new destinations, marking the most aggressive expansion in its two-decade history. From Atlanta and Taipei to Tunis, Medina, and Tashkent, Etihad is strategically extending its footprint across underserved, high-potential markets in Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America.
The airline has already inaugurated flights to Prague, Warsaw, Sochi, and Atlanta, with additional destinations already announced and set to begin service through March 2026.
The 27-destination expansion reflects a sharpened Etihad growth strategy focused on mid-haul agility and commercial viability, and it is already delivering results in the form of rising passenger numbers, record profits, and sustained load factors.
Strategic Moves in the Wake of Wizz Abu Dhabi’s Exit
Etihad’s announcement of seven new destinations on July 15 came just one day after Wizz Air confirmed its exit from Abu Dhabi operations on July 14. Etihad however maintains the moves were not directly linked.
“It does not work like that. These destinations were part of our 2030 plan,” CEO Antonoaldo Neves told The National. “Where there is a space in the market, someone is going to fill it in, and we have the agility to fill it. We saw a market opportunity and we took it. These slots are not the same [as Wizz Air] because they are different flight times … so technically speaking, it’s different slots.”
Of the seven new destinations Etihad announced, six had previously been served by Wizz Air: Medina, Baku, Yerevan, Almaty, Bucharest, and Tashkent.
Wizz Air cited operational and geopolitical challenges for its sudden withdrawal. ADQ, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investment fund, which owns Etihad also holds a 51% stake in Wizz Air Abu Dhabi. (Read our full report on Wizz Air’s suspension of Abu Dhabi operations here).
A Sharp Pivot
Following years of restructuring, Etihad has shifted toward measured, margin-conscious growth, connecting Abu Dhabi to commercially viable but often overlooked destinations. This reset has been led by a leadership that is focused on restoring profitability without sacrificing relevance.
Rather than chasing ultra-long-haul prestige or high-profile vanity routes, Etihad is leaning into mid- to long-haul agility by deploying next-generation aircraft like the A321LR and selectively reactivating A380s on routes where demand warrants it.
- A321LR deployment: Etihad recently introduced its A321LR, outfitted with First Suites, lie-flat Business, and a full-service experience typically found on wide-body aircraft—now available on short- and mid-haul flights.
- Selective A380 reactivation: The airline has brought several of its A380 super-jumbos back into service on high demand routes such as London and Toronto.
These moves exemplify a disciplined fleet strategy, aligning aircraft type to route profile, managing capacity, and preserving profitability.
A Record-Breaking Year
Combined, the 27-destination expansion reflects the largest network buildout in Etihad’s history and the boldest among Gulf carriers in 2025.
“Our goal is clear—we want to bring more people directly to Abu Dhabi,” said CEO Antonoaldo Neves in July. “These new routes connect us to fast‑growing, culturally rich regions and will help stimulate demand for tourism and trade in the UAE’s capital.”
Etihad’s growth strategy is already delivering results. In 2024, Etihad carried 18.5 million passengers, marking a 32% year-on-year increase. Its net profit surged to a record US $476 million, tripling the previous year’s earnings and cementing its financial turnaround.
Maintaining the momentum, as of June 2025, Etihad had carried 10.2 million passengers year-to-date, reflecting a 17% year-on-year increase. The airline also maintained an impressive average load factor of 87%, a strong indicator of sustained demand and operational efficiency.
The Gulf Three: A Comparative Snapshot
While Etihad remains the smallest of the Gulf Three in absolute terms, it is by far the fastest-growing. Emirates is focused on optimizing premium capacity and upgrading its A380 fleet, while Qatar Airways has resumed select routes and leans on alliance-driven connectivity.
| Airline | Fleet | Destinations | Passengers (2024) | Revenue (2024) | Profit (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etihad | 101 | ~100 | 18.5M | US$ 6.9 billion | US$ 476 million |
| Emirates | 265 | ~141 | 53.7M | US$ 34.9 billion | US$ 5.8 billion |
| Qatar Airways | 236 | ~170 | 43.1M | US$ 23.4 billion | US$2.15 billion |
An IPO on the Horizon?
Following a record-breaking year, expectations have intensified around Etihad potentially pursuing an initial public offering (IPO) to raise up to US $1 billion. While no timeline has been confirmed, CEO Antonoaldo Neves has emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with the airline’s shareholder..
If realized, the IPO would mark a significant milestone, not only for Etihad, but for the broader Gulf aviation sector. It would signal a new phase of financial maturity and transparency, following years of restructuring. Saudi Arabia’s flynas recently went public, becoming the first Gulf airline to do so in nearly two decades and Etihad could well be the next.
Whether or not the IPO materializes soon, the airline’s trajectory is unmistakable. From its 27-destination surge to its sharpened mid- to long-haul strategy, Etihad is no longer chasing scale – it’s chasing sustainability and smart growth.
It may not be the Gulf’s largest airline, but in 2025, Etihad is arguably its most interesting one to watch.
Image: Pexels/Jeffrey S.S.
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