Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, has continued its impressive trajectory, delivering robust performance throughout September 2024.
As the summer travel season drew to a close, the airline welcomed a substantial 1.6 million passengers. It also achieved a commendable average load factor of 88% for the month.
Etihad September Performance
Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad’s CEO, expressed satisfaction with the airline’s September results, emphasizing the significant growth compared to the previous year.
“Our year-to-date passenger numbers have surged by 35%, reaching an impressive 13.6 million,” he stated. “This marks a remarkable increase from the 10 million passengers carried in 2022, underscoring our rapid expansion.”
Neves highlighted that Etihad’s strategic capacity expansion has not compromised its operational efficiency.
Despite offering more seats than in 2023, the airline maintained a consistent load factor of 87%, reflecting the strong demand for its services.
Network Expansion Fuels Growth
Etihad’s growth has been fueled by a strategic expansion of its route network. The airline now serves 76 destinations, up from 68 in September 2023.
Recent additions include Prague and Warsaw, with further routes planned. This expansion solidifies Abu Dhabi’s position as a major global aviation hub and a sought-after tourist destination.
In August, the airline brought the last two of the six Airbus A321neos expected in 2024 into operation. In addition, it is now flying to 10 more passenger destinations than at the same point last year.
The airline’s fleet modernization program has played a pivotal role in supporting its growth ambitions.
By continually investing in new aircraft, Etihad has enhanced its operational efficiency and provided passengers with a superior travel experience. This commitment to excellence has contributed to Abu Dhabi’s rising reputation as a world-class aviation destination.
Success of Abu Dhabi Stopover Programme
The airline has also seen the exceptional growth of its Abu Dhabi Stopover programme. The relaunch of the initiative has exceeded expectations, significantly boosting Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector.
The Abu Dhabi Stopover programme, exclusive to Etihad Airways, has also seen remarkable growth since its inception. The programme welcomed 24,000 international visitors in the first half of 2024. This is significant, compared to 7,000 in the latter half of 2023. It represents an extraordinary increase of 242%.
This strong performance is coupled with growing demand and increased bookings for the second half of the year. It puts the initiative on track to achieve its ambitious target of 75,000 international stopover visitors in 2024.
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