Etihad Airways released today its traffic statistics for December 2024, ending the year with remarkable results. The airline welcomed 1.7 million guests during the month, a remarkable increase of more than 20 percent compared to the same period last year, and a load factor of 87 percent compared to 84 percent for December 2023.
In the full year of 2024, Etihad Airways carried 18.5 million guests, with a passenger load factor of 87 percent across the year, up 1 percent from 2023 when the airline carried 14 million guests.
“December was our busiest month of the year, in the traditionally active holiday season, and we carried 1.7 million passengers, a 22 percent rise on the same month of 2023,” stated Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways. Neves added that Etihad’s 2024 results revealed an 80 percent increase in total passenger numbers from 2022, underlining the strong growth trajectory over the past two years.
Fleet and destinations grow
In 2023, Etihad Airways operated a fleet consisting of 83 aircraft and flew to 67 destinations. Since then, the airline has grown its fleet by 14 aircraft, currently operating 97 airplanes to 71 destinations globally.
“In December, our network continued to grow as we resumed our service to Nairobi, Kenya, and we are looking forward to starting operations to the new destinations recently announced,” added Neves.
Last year, Etihad Airways launched over 10 new destinations all over the world in one day, including Algiers, Atlanta, Hong Kong and Phnom Penh. The ten routes will complement Etihad’s previously revealed new destinations for 2025 including Prague, Warsaw, and Al Alamein.
Etihad’s expansion will bring tens of thousands of new visitors directly to Abu Dhabi, boosting its position as a premier destination for leisure, business, and cultural tourism. The move aligns with the UAE capital’s efforts to attract international travelers and reinforces its reputation as a hub of connectivity, innovation, and hospitality.
Read: Sharjah Airport welcomes over 17.1 million passengers in 2024
2025 expansion plans
2025 will mark a pivotal year for Etihad Airways, with more than 90 destinations in over 50 countries and a fleet of more than 110 aircraft, including the new A321LRs. The airline expects to welcome over 20 million guests onboard next year, further supporting tourism growth in Abu Dhabi.
In a bid to further improve its customer experience for passengers flying to the United States, Etihad Airways opened its new Etihad U.S. Preclearance Lounge at Zayed International Airport on December 30, 2024.
Located steps away from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, the new lounge provides eligible guests with a serene space to unwind after completing their U.S. entry formalities and before boarding their flight.
Etihad currently serves four U.S. destinations with nonstop flights to Boston, Chicago, New York and Washington D.C. The airline will also launch services to Atlanta in July 2025, further strengthening its commitment to the North American market.
