Etihad Airways Soars High With Massive Profit Boost

• Etihad Airways reports a near 50% surge in net profit, reaching $698 million, fueled by increased capacity and strong market demand.
• Passenger numbers climbed by 21% to 22.4 million in 2025, supported by the addition of 29 new aircraft to its fleet, including the return of the A380.
• CEO Antonoaldo Neves highlights the airline's focus on customer satisfaction and strategic growth, anticipating continued demand strength and further expansion in key markets like China, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
• Etihad is actively managing aircraft delivery challenges, working with Boeing and Airbus to maintain its retrofit program and secure timely deliveries, with approximately 20 more aircraft expected this year, mainly from Airbus.

Hold Your Horses Etihad's Profit is Trotting Along

Well, howdy folks! It's Donkey here, your favorite talking reporter, and lemme tell you, I've seen more than a few things in my day. From outsmarting dragons to navigating Shrek's swamp, I know a thing or two about a good story. And this one's a real winner! Etihad Airways just announced their net profit jumped almost 50%, hitting a whopping $698 million last year. That's enough to buy a mountain of waffles, and you know how I feel about my waffles! This ain't no fairytale; it's real-world business, folks.

More Passengers Than You Can Shake a Stick At

So, what's the secret sauce? According to their CEO, Antonoaldo Neves (sounds fancy, right?), it's a mix of investing in customer satisfaction and adding more seats. "We've been investing a lot in our product, in customer satisfaction. We've been growing a lot, adding capacity, right?...So I would say it's a combination of efforts," he told Reuters. They added 29 new planes to their fleet, bringing the total to 127, and flew 22.4 million passengers. That's a whole lotta people seeing the world, and Etihad's making sure they do it in style. Kinda like when Shrek finally let me ride in first class on our way to Far, Far Away. Speaking of money, if you think Etihad has a lot of it, you should check out our other article Supreme Court Ruling Unleashes Tariff Refund Tsunami, where the Supreme Court ruling can make companies and individuals very rich!

Demand So Strong, It's Like Dragon Breath

Neves also mentioned that demand is still strong. "Our load factors were 88% last year," he said. "We're getting many, many days of 90% this year. We wouldn't have that if economy was not strong as well." That's like saying everyone wants a piece of the dragon-slaying pie, and Etihad's got the whole bakery! They're even seeing better-than-expected performance in new markets. That's what I call a 'happily ever after' in the making.

New Routes, New Adventures - Just Like Shrek and Me

Last year, Etihad launched routes to places like Prague, Hanoi, and Hong Kong. This year, they're planning to expand even further in China, Southeast Asia, and Europe. It's like Shrek and me setting off on another adventure, except instead of rescuing princesses, they're connecting people across the globe. Although, rescuing princesses *is* fun, I must admit. 'Cause that's what friends do; they'll bail you out of the dragon pit!'.

Navigating the Skies Through Supply Chain Storms

Now, it ain't all sunshine and rainbows. Airlines have been struggling with getting new planes on time due to issues with Boeing and Airbus. But Neves says Etihad's focused on keeping their retrofit program on schedule and working with manufacturers to get those deliveries sorted. "So far, I mean, I wouldn't say it's amazing ... but it's improving," Neves said. They're expecting about 20 more aircraft this year, mostly from Airbus. That means more room for waffles, I mean, passengers!

Shrek Said It Best: 'Better Out Than In'

So, there you have it, folks! Etihad Airways is flying high, overcoming challenges, and spreading its wings across the world. It's a story of hard work, smart decisions, and maybe just a little bit of fairy dust. And remember, as Shrek always says, 'Better out than in.' Especially when it comes to profits! This old donkey is off to find some waffles. See ya later!