The UAE’s national airlines are broadening their global reach, driven by the country’s robust international tourism and business reputation, as well as the resurgence in travel demand. The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) projects passenger traffic to hit 140 million, reflecting the ongoing growth and competitiveness of UAE-based carriers.
WAM reported citing official data that the UAE national airlines now serve approximately 606 destinations worldwide, including joint and cargo routes – a 3.4 percent increase from the 586 destinations served at the end of 2023. The distribution of destinations across major airlines serving the region is as follows: Emirates encompasses an expansive network of over 144 destinations, while Etihad Airways connects passengers to 79 locations. The low-cost carrier flydubai operates flights to 125 different cities, and Air Arabia’s route network spans 218 destinations. Rounding out the regional lineup, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi serves 40 destinations.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, in particular, has been expanding its route network, aiming to reach 125 destinations by 2030. The airline is leveraging its strategic location between Asia and Europe to drive this growth and increase its annual passenger count to 33 million.
Since the start of this year, Etihad Airways has been persistently strengthening its network, with ambitious plans to grow to over 125 destinations by 2030. Etihad Airways plans to introduce several new destinations this year, building on the 15 new routes it launched in the previous year, including cities like Lisbon, Copenhagen, Calcutta, and Osaka. Furthermore, the airline will be increasing its flight frequency to Thailand, with 41 weekly flights starting in October, and will resume operations to Nairobi on December 15th.
In the initial seven months of 2024, Etihad Airways transported 10.4 million passengers and expanded its fleet to 93 aircraft by the end of July, up from 78 aircraft in July 2023. The airline has also added 10 new destinations to its network so far this year. In the opening half of 2024, Etihad Airways reported a robust financial performance, achieving a net profit after tax of AED 851 million. This figure represents a noteworthy 48 percent increase compared to the same period in the prior year. Complementing this impressive bottom-line growth, the airline also saw its revenues expand by 21 percent, reaching a total of AED 11.7 billion.
Emirates
Emirates currently operates an extensive network encompassing 144 passenger and cargo destinations across six continents, continuously working to expand its seat capacity to meet the growing travel demand and offer greater flexibility and choice for travelers transiting through Dubai.
In the coming months, Emirates Airlines is poised to introduce its enhanced Boeing 777 aircraft on routes to Zurich and Riyadh starting early October, and will also add the same aircraft model to its operations in Geneva and Brussels. Continuing its commitment to operational excellence, Emirates is finalizing the modernization of 80 more Boeing 777 aircraft. This forms a critical component of the airline’s over $3 billion program, focused on delivering industry-leading products and services to enhance the passenger journey to unprecedented heights.
flydubai
flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, operates an extensive network, connecting Dubai to 125 destinations across 58 countries. The airline’s reach spans Africa, Central Asia, Central and South-East Europe, the GCC, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, and South-East Asia. flydubai’s modern fleet comprises 88 Boeing 737 aircraft.
Recently, flydubai has expanded its European presence, launching regular flights to EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, with four weekly services. This makes flydubai the first national airline to offer direct flights from Dubai to this destination, growing its European network to 29 cities, including Budapest, Catania, Krakow, Milan-Bergamo, Prague, Salzburg, and Zagreb.
flydubai expects to take delivery of seven additional aircraft by the end of the year. To support its network expansion, the airline plans to hire more than 130 new pilots, with Basel, Riga, Tallinn, and Vilnius set to join its growing list of destinations.
Air Arabia
Separately, the Air Arabia Group operates an extensive network of its own, with 218 destinations across six strategic hubs, including 113 from the UAE, as well as locations in Morocco, Egypt, and Pakistan. In the first half of 2024, the airline reported a net profit of AED693 million and served 8.9 million passengers, marking a 16 percent increase from the previous year. The seat load factor for flydubai remained robust at 81 percent.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi
Meanwhile, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi maintains a diverse portfolio of 40 destinations and continues to expand its operations to cater to the rising demand. The airline’s modern and eco-friendly fleet supports its ambitious plans to launch flights to new markets.
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