Etihad Airways flies over 8.5 million passengers in the first half of 2024

UAE’s flag carrier Etihad Airways, on Friday, declared that it had carried 8.7 million passengers between January and June 2024, with an 85% increase in load factor.

The national airline handled 1.5 million passengers in June alone, with an average passenger load factor of 8%, according to the airline’s preliminary traffic statistics for June 2024. 

Airline CEO Antonoaldo Neves said, “In June, our passenger numbers surged by 34 per cent from last year, demonstrating our continued growth momentum.”

Neves, highlighting the airline’s recent achievements, said, “Year to date, we have flown 8.7 million passengers, an increase of nearly 2.5 million, almost 40 per cent, compared to the previous year. And as of June 2024, our rolling 12-month passenger tally stands at 16.4 million.”

Furthermore, the airline’s operating fleet has grown to 92 aircraft, up from 76 in June 2023. “We are flying to 10 more passenger destinations than at the same point last year,” said Neves.

In June, Etihad met its commitment to grow its network by adding eight new locations, including the seasonal destinations – Nice, Antalya, Mykonos, Santorini, and Malaga, as well as Bali, Jaipur, and Al Qassim.

Additionally, the airline unveiled a unique livery on one of the three A321neos that have already been added to its fleet this year; three more are scheduled to join soon.