ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways carried 2.2 million passengers in January 2026, the Abu Dhabi based airline said in its monthly traffic update, reporting a 29% increase from 1.7 million passengers in January 2025. The carrier also reported a passenger load factor of 89.9% for the month, compared with 89.1% a year earlier, reflecting continued high seat occupancy at the start of the year.
Etihad Airways reports January 2026 passenger growth and near 90% load factor. (Credit – WAM)
Etihad said it operated an average passenger fleet of 127 aircraft in January, up from 101 in the same month last year, as it expanded capacity across its network. The airline reported 110 destinations in its network listing, compared with 94 a year earlier, and said 93 destinations were operated during January. Etihad noted that its destination count can include seasonal and cargo services and destinations scheduled to begin within the next 12 months.
The January update follows a record full year performance in 2025, when Etihad said it carried 22.4 million passengers, a 21% rise from the prior year. The airline reported a 2025 passenger load factor of 88.3% and said it added 29 aircraft during the year, bringing its fleet total to 127 aircraft at year end. Etihad has published monthly traffic statistics as it rebuilds and grows after a multi year restructuring.
Etihad Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves, in a statement accompanying the January figures, described the month as a strong start to 2026 and linked the results to the airline’s fleet and network growth. The carrier’s update also highlighted recently announced route additions as it broadens connections through Abu Dhabi, a key aviation hub in the UAE.
Network and fleet expansion
Etihad has tied its passenger growth to an expanding route map and additional aircraft entering service. The airline said its planned Abu Dhabi to Luxembourg service is set to start on Oct. 29, 2026, with three weekly flights operated by an Airbus A321LR. It also announced a new Abu Dhabi to Calgary route scheduled to begin on Nov. 3, 2026, using a Boeing 787 9, adding a new gateway in Western Canada to its network.
The carrier has also outlined changes to its near term schedule for North America. Etihad said its direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Charlotte are set to begin on March 20, 2026, moving the launch earlier than previously announced. In announcing Calgary, Etihad said the service would be its first nonstop link between the Middle East and the Canadian city and would complement its existing North America operations.
Load factor remains high
Etihad’s January load factor of 89.9% remained near the levels reported throughout 2025 and marked a modest improvement from the same month a year earlier. Airlines use load factor to measure the proportion of available seats filled by paying passengers, and the metric is closely watched as an indicator of demand relative to capacity. Etihad did not provide revenue or fare data in its monthly traffic release.
The airline’s January report reinforces its recent growth trajectory, combining higher passenger volumes with a consistently high load factor as fleet size and destination listings rise. Etihad’s next traffic update is expected to provide additional month by month detail on passenger numbers, load factor and network activity, offering a running picture of demand through Abu Dhabi and across the airline’s expanding route portfolio. – By Content Syndication Services.