Etihad Airways carried 22.4 million passengers in 2025—its highest total to date—representing 21 % year-on-year growth and an 88.3 % load factor, the airline reported on 12 January ([m.economictimes.com](https://m.economictimes.com/nri/visit/etihad-airways-notches-record-passenger-traffic-in-2025/articleshow/126477712.cms)). December alone saw 2.2 million flyers, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s rebound as a transfer hub.
CEO Antonoaldo Neves attributed the surge to a 127-strong fleet (up 29 aircraft in 2025) and network expansion from 94 to 110 destinations. For corporate mobility programmes, the numbers translate into greater seat availability on key long-haul routes and improved chances of securing group allocations during peak project phases.
![Etihad Airways posts record 22.4 million passengers, signals more capacity for 2026 assignments]()
The growth also feeds into Etihad’s Stopover programme, which grants business travellers two free hotel nights in Abu Dhabi—an incentive HR teams can leverage when structuring cost-efficient layovers or client meetings. Cargo capacity has risen in tandem, benefiting relocations that require unaccompanied baggage or pet transport.
Before those extra seats are booked, however, many travellers will still need to secure UAE entry clearance. VisaHQ streamlines this step by handling tourist, business and transit visa applications online, offering real-time status updates and dedicated support for bulk corporate requests—services that pair neatly with Etihad’s growing network. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/.
Etihad says it will prioritise sustainability, targeting a 20 % reduction in net carbon intensity by 2030. Mobility managers should monitor whether forthcoming SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) surcharges will alter travel budgets in the second half of 2026.
CEO Antonoaldo Neves attributed the surge to a 127-strong fleet (up 29 aircraft in 2025) and network expansion from 94 to 110 destinations. For corporate mobility programmes, the numbers translate into greater seat availability on key long-haul routes and improved chances of securing group allocations during peak project phases.
The growth also feeds into Etihad’s Stopover programme, which grants business travellers two free hotel nights in Abu Dhabi—an incentive HR teams can leverage when structuring cost-efficient layovers or client meetings. Cargo capacity has risen in tandem, benefiting relocations that require unaccompanied baggage or pet transport.
Before those extra seats are booked, however, many travellers will still need to secure UAE entry clearance. VisaHQ streamlines this step by handling tourist, business and transit visa applications online, offering real-time status updates and dedicated support for bulk corporate requests—services that pair neatly with Etihad’s growing network. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/.
Etihad says it will prioritise sustainability, targeting a 20 % reduction in net carbon intensity by 2030. Mobility managers should monitor whether forthcoming SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) surcharges will alter travel budgets in the second half of 2026.
