Total revenue increased 21 percent to AED11.7 billion (USD 3.2 billion), from AED9.6 billion (USD2.6 billion) in H1 2023, mainly due to passenger revenue, which saw a 24 percent year-on-year increase, reflecting strong demand fuelled by strategic network expansion and increased flight frequencies, consequently further improving connectivity.
There was also a notable 10 percent increase in cargo revenue compared to the same period of 2023, primarily driven by higher demand and higher cargo capacity of the fleet.
Etihad carried 8.7 million passengers over the first half of the year, up 38 per cent year-on-year, which is approximately three-times higher than IATA’s reported average growth rate of 13 percent for Middle Eastern carriers in the same period. The average passenger load factor stands at 85 percent for H1 of this year and remains unchanged compared to the first half of 2023.
Operational efficiencies continued to improve with decreasing unit cost from the same period last year, with CASK (cost per seat kilometre) and CASK ex-fuel reduced by 5 percent and 8 percent, respectively. At the same time, overall passenger experience improved, continuing the trend of increased customer satisfaction since consolidating operations in the new terminal.