Etihad Airways, the flagship carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has announced a successful July 2024, reporting strong growth in passenger numbers and load factors. The airline transported 1.7 million passengers during the month, representing a significant 33% increase compared to July 2023. This growth was coupled with an impressive 89% load factor, highlighting Etihad’s operational efficiency during the peak summer travel season.
Etihad Airways CEO, Antonoaldo Neves, attributed the success to the airline’s ongoing expansion strategy. “Our passenger numbers in July surged by 33% compared to the same period last year, underscoring our continuing strong growth,” he stated. “Year-to-date, we have served 10.4 million passengers, up 2.8 million on the same period last year, and as of July 2024, our rolling 12-month passenger count now stands at 16.8 million.”
Neves further emphasized the airline’s commitment to growth, stating that the 89% load factor reflected “our successful performance during a peak summer period, amidst significant capacity expansion since 2023.” He highlighted the growth in Etihad’s fleet size, increasing from 78 aircraft in July 2023 to 93 in July 2024. This expansion has also led to an increase in the number of destinations served, reaching 76 in July 2024 compared to 66 a year prior.
The strong performance in July 2024 signals a positive trend for Etihad Airways, demonstrating its resilience and ability to navigate the competitive aviation market effectively. The airline’s continued growth strategy is expected to further enhance its position as a leading global carrier.
