Etihad Airways carried 22.4 million passengers last year, marking a 21 per cent increase year-on-year as the Abu Dhabi airline continues to expand its route network and demand for travel soars. The rise in passenger numbers is the “highest annual total in the airline’s history”, Etihad’s chief executive Antonoaldo Neves said in a statement on Monday. "Closing the year with a record December reflects the confidence our customers place in our product and service,” Mr Neves said. The airline carried 2.2 million passengers in December, up nearly 28 per cent annually. Etihad expects to become a $9 billion revenue airline, carrying about 25 million passengers in 2026, Mr Neves said during the Dubai Airshow.

Source: Ethiopian News January 12, 2026 10:26 UTC