February 16, 2025
Etihad Airways Closes 2024 with Peak December Performance

Etihad Airways Closes 2024 with Peak December Performance

Etihad Airways closed 2024 with a peak month; transporting 1.7 million passengers in December. This was a 20% year-on-year increase over December 2023.
An Etihad Airways A380 flying above cloud.
Photo Credit: Etihad Airways

The UAE’s national carrier, Etihad Airways, concluded 2024 with impressive December traffic figures, demonstrating robust growth and setting the stage for further expansion in 2025.

The airline transported 1.7 million passengers during the month of December. This marked a significant 20% increase from the same period in 2023.

At the same time, it achieved an improved load factor of 87%, up from 84% the previous year.

December the Peak Month for 2024


“December proved to be our peak month for 2024, with the holiday season bringing 1.7 million travelers – a 22% improvement over December 2023,” stated Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves.

“Throughout 2024, we served more than 18 million passengers, maintaining a robust 87% load factor. This represents an exceptional 80% growth in passenger numbers compared to 2022, highlighting our substantial expansion over the past two years.”

Etihad Airways pilots on Nairobi flight.
Photo Credit: Etihad Airways

Network Expansion in East Africa


The airline’s network expansion continued in December with the strategic relaunch of services to Nairobi, Kenya.

This development aligns perfectly with Kenya’s flourishing tourism sector, which anticipated welcoming 3 million visitors in 2024. Kenya aims to reach an ambitious target of 5 million visitors in upcoming years. The timing of this route launch positions Etihad to capitalize on the growing demand for travel to East Africa.

Demonstrating its commitment to social responsibility, Etihad Airways announced a significant community initiative alongside the Nairobi route launch. The airline will establish the Etihad Airways Community Development Centre in Kenya’s capital, forming a strategic partnership with the Amahoro Coalition.

This center will focus on delivering educational opportunities and promoting women’s empowerment among marginalized and forcibly displaced communities, reflecting Etihad’s dedication to sustainable development in its destination markets.

The Nairobi service joins Etihad’s impressive list of successful 2024 route launches, which included popular destinations such as Antalya, Bali, Boston, Jaipur, Kozhikode, Mykonos, Nice, Qassim, and Thiruvananthapuram.

2025 Network Expansion


Looking ahead to 2025, the airline has unveiled ambitious expansion plans featuring thirteen new destinations across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The phased rollout of these new routes begins with Warsaw and Prague in June, followed by Al Alamein and Atlanta in July.

September will see the addition of Taipei to the network, while October brings three new Southeast Asian destinations: Medan, Phnom Penh, and Krabi.

The expansion concludes with a substantial November launch including Tunis, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Hanoi, and Algiers, significantly strengthening Etihad’s global presence and connecting more travelers through its Abu Dhabi hub.

This strategic network expansion, coupled with strong performance metrics, positions Etihad Airways for continued growth and success in the evolving global aviation market.

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