Etihad Airways’ ASKs rose by 25 per cent to 15.2 billion in the second quarter, as the fleet grew to 67 aircraft from its earlier 61. The revenue of Etihad Airways in six months this year has increased by 31 per cent to US$ 1.25 billion from US$ 957 million as compared to last year. The number of passengers has leapt up by 34 per cent to 4.89 million during the six months from 2.55 million in 2011. The increase in overall capacity and improved seat factors has contributed to the increment in the revenue, says the company.


The record results were boosted by the airline’s growing network of code-shares and strategic partnerships which together fed 800,000 passengers into Etihad Airways’ network in the last six months, contributing US$ 281 million. James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways said, “These results are an endorsement of our strategy, which has seen us widen and deepen our partnerships in addition to continued focus on our organic growth plan.”


Etihad Airways’ available seat kilometres (ASKs) rose by 25 per cent to 15.2 billion in the second quarter, as the fleet grew to 67 aircraft from its earlier 61. Likewise, revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) rose 33 per cent to 11.8 billion from 8.9 billion. During the period, the Airways took minority equity stakes in Aer Lingus and Virgin Australia, adding to its minority shareholdings in Air Berlin and Air Seychelles. These five airlines together carried 72 million passengers on 376 aircraft in 2011, generating combined revenues of more than US$ 14 billion.


Recently, the Airways unveiled plans to launch daily flights to Sao Paolo in Brazil, its first South American destination, which will start from June 2013. “We are very pleased to see the projected revenue benefits and cost synergies for both Etihad Airways and our partners tracking in line with, or even above, plan which shows once more that our partnership strategy delivers value to all parties’ shareholders,” said Hogan.