ABU DHABI- Etihad Airways (EY) is gearing up for a productive 2025 as it seeks to leverage the recent opening of the new terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to elevate its business and compete with GCC rivals like Emirates (EK) and Qatar Airways (QR).
EY operates a fleet of 91 aircraft, which it expects to expand to 160 by 2030 to meet the rising demand for flight travel. It also unveiled 10 new destinations which it will fly to starting next year, citing India’s success as a motivating factor, with services to Australia also due to increase.
Etihad to Expand its Wings in Australia
Etihad Airways recently announced the termination of its bilateral frequent flyer partnership with Virgin Australia effective 1st June 2025. It comes in light of the carrier being in talks with Qatar Airways over the sale of a stake in order to extend its wings once more.
Virgin Australia (VS) provided long-haul services with its Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s some years ago, however, the nosedive of the travel industry during the COVID pandemic led to them filing for bankruptcy. It soon restarted operations as a domestic carrier before expanding to routes closer to Australia.
Qatar’s highly probable investment in Virgin Australia has been perceived as a threat by Etihad as the Brisbane-based carrier is also expected to enter talks over the wet lease of long-haul aircraft and begin flying to Doha as part of the agreement with QR.
Understandably, it will favor the Oneworld carrier, and owing to that, Etihad has decided to operate independently in Australia.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline operates flights to Melbourne and Sydney at the moment and said in a statement that two of Australia’s top cities are expected to have an increase in flights.
Etihad 10 New Destinations for 2025
On Monday, November 25th, Etihad announced 10 new destinations across Africa, Asia, and North America in line with its expansion strategy. The airline has yet to confirm flight timings and the aircraft types operating these flights but here is a list of the destinations:
- Algiers, Algeria
- Atlanta, US
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Hong Kong
- Krabi, Thailand
- Medan, Indonesia
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Tunis, Tunisia
The flights to destinations in Africa will provide Australian and Southeast Asian flyers with a convenient connection from Abu Dhabi’s new terminal and add a new option in the sector alongside Emirates and Qatar Airways for the interested parties.
Meanwhile, Southeast Asian destinations provide a one-stop flight to most European travelers who tend to travel to the continent for leisure trips across the year.
Delta Air Lines’ primary hub, Atlanta, receives just one daily flight from Doha’s Hamad International Airport operated by Qatar Airways. Emirates does not fly to the city in Georgia, so Etihad’s planned flight means travelers have a second option to choose from.
India Drives Growth
The airline has credited India for inspiring its expansion strategies as the subcontinent region is its cash crop besides the GCC.
Speaking of India, Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue Officer said,
We are very involved in India and are the only airline that has a website in Hindi. We have grown 109% in India on a year-on-year basis. We recently increased more than doubled Jaipur frequency from four times weekly. The Indian market is one of the enablers for the unprecedented 10 new route announcements in a day by any airline. We don’t think any airline has done this anywhere else. Going forward, we look forward to adding these many destinations every year.”
When asked if there is an overload of airlines in the Gulf region, De said,
Look at India with its mind-boggling (aircraft orders) of Air India, IndiGo, Akasa and others. We serve the entire GCC and the Indian subcontinent. As incomes rise in the region and India, the demand for travel will only grow.”
Etihad flies to 11 Indian cities and is one of several Middle Eastern carriers providing travelers with a transit option on their travels. EY’s primary competition has obviously been Emirates and Qatar Airways, but with newer destinations having been unveiled, it will hope that its plans turn profitable.
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