Etihad carried 1.7 million passengers in May

Witnessing continued growth in demand across its network, UAE airline Etihad Airways flew 1.7 million passengers in May, reflecting a 19 pc increase from the 1.5 million, which it flew in the same month last year.

In a press statement, Etihad says that the passenger load factor also rose to 87 pc compared to 84 pc during the same month last year.

It adds that its operating fleet has now reached 100 aircraft, up from 90 in May 2024. The expansion in fleet size is aligned with its ongoing network and service development strategy.

Antonoaldo Neves

“We reached an exciting milestone in May as our fleet number reached the 100 mark. As we continue expanding our route network and growing our fleet in the coming months, our focus remains on delivering a seamless and exceptional customer experience,” says Antonoaldo Neves, CEO, Etihad Airways.

As per the statement, in the year-to-date period from January to May this year, the airline recorded 8.4 million passengers, marking a 17 pc increase from the 7.2 million in the same period of the previous year. The average passenger load factor for the year so far stands at 87 pc.

“We saw a pleasing continued growth in our momentum, with May’s passenger numbers growing by 19 pc year-on-year, underlining our position as the fastest-growing Middle East airline. Our year-to-date results show more than 8 million customers have flown with us in 2025, and our rolling 12-month figure now stands at almost 20 million, a testament to the trust placed in Etihad’s service,” adds Neves.