Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, says it is looking forward to one of its busiest ever summer holiday seasons. 

According to a press statement by Etihad Airways, it expects to carry around 5 million passengers through Zayed International Airport across the peak period.

Shaeb Alnuaimi

“We are looking forward to hosting guests as they journey on their summer holidays, including those going on our newly launched routes to Malaga, Antalya, Santorini, Nice, Jaipur, Al Qassim, Mykonos and Bali,” says Shaeb Alnuaimi, Airports Operation Director, Etihad.

“Thanks to Etihad’s award-winning cabin crew, family-friendly offerings, and cabin choices, guests can expect remarkable travel experiences. And this is our first summer season in our new home at Zayed International Airport which has added a new dimension of seamless travel and world-class customer experience,” adds Alnuaimi.

“To ensure guests enjoy a convenient and safe travel experience during this busy summer period, all travellers are encouraged to arrive early and allow plenty of time at the airport. Etihad Airways has a number of travel tips and reminders to make it easier,” adds Alnuaimi.

According to the airline’s preliminary traffic statistics for May 2024, Etihad Airways carried 1.5 million passengers and saw its passenger load factor average out at 84 pc across the month.

Antonoaldo Neves

“We achieved a 38 pc year-to-date increase in passengers, underscoring our strong positive growth trajectory, and our YTD passenger count has reached 7.2 million, meaning we have already welcomed two million more passengers this year than the same period of 2023,” says Antonoaldo Neves, CEO, Etihad Airways.

“This contributed to maintaining a healthy YTD load factor of 85 pc against a considerable increase in capacity against the same period in 2023. Our rolling 12-month passenger numbers, to the end of May 2024, now stand at just over 16 million,” Neves adds.

“Our operating fleet size has risen by 15 aircraft year-on-year to 90, helping to fuel our growth. In May, after intense months of activity involving teams across the airline, we brought the first of the six A321neos expected in 2024 into operation. These aircraft further boost our growing network and frequencies and deliver a 20 pc fuel burn and CO2 emissions advantage, underlining our commitment to modern, more efficient aircraft,” says Neves.