Etihad Sees 22% Rise in Passenger Traffic In First Half Of 2014

Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad Airways reported a 28 per cent hike in revenues during the first half of the year to reach $3.2 billion, up from $2.5 billion during H1 2013.

The airline also posted a 22 per cent rise in passenger volumes during the period, carrying 6.7 million travellers between January to June 204, up from 5.5 million during the same period last year.

The airline credited the growth to its expanding global route network, with 98 destinations operational by the end of H1 2014, compared to 92 in the same period last year.

Codeshare and equity alliance partnerships also grew in the first half of 2014, delivering an estimated 1.4 million passengers onto Etihad flights (up 28 per cent year-on-year) and contributing revenue of $471 million, which represented 23 per cent of the airline’s passenger revenue.

Etihad currently holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, Aer Lingus, Air Serbia and Jet Airways, and is in the process of formalising its equity investment in Swiss-based Etihad Regional. It is also in the final stages of a deal with Alitalia.

Etihad Cargo also saw volumes rise during the first half of the year, to reach 268,713 tonnes of freight and mail, up 25 per cent year-on-year. “It remains on track to become a billion dollar business in 2014,” the statement said.

James Hogan, president and CEO of Etihad said: “At a time when the global airline industry has struggled with high fuel prices, intense competition and a slowdown in the cargo market, Etihad Airways has achieved record success, carrying more passengers and cargo to more destinations around the world, with our biggest fleet to date.

“We have ambitious plans to build on this momentum in the second half of 2014, with five more destinations being introduced into our global network, and our ground-breaking Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 also entering service.”

Etihad Airways’ passenger carrying capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK), was 39.4 billion by the end of H1 2014, an increase of 19 per cent year-on-year.

The airline’s fleet also expanded to 102 aircraft, with seven aircraft delivered in the second quarter alone. An additional six aircraft will be received in the second half of 2014, including Etihad’s first Airbus A380 and Boeing 787, which commence operations in December. The A380 will include The Residence by Etihad, featuring a three-room private cabin with a living room, separate double bedroom and ensuite shower along with a personal butler service.

The airline also confirmed plans to increase its network to 103 destinations by the end of the year, with Yerevan flights launched this month and Rome, Perth, Phuket and Dallas to follow over the remainder of 2014.