UAE Airlines Propel Global Expansion Amid Travel Demand Surge

UAE's national carriers expand globally, with passenger traffic projected to reach 140 million. Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia, and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi now serve 606 destinations, a 3.4% increase from 2023. Etihad aims for 125 destinations by 2030, while Emirates enhances fleet and services.

The national carriers of the United Arab Emirates are rapidly expanding their global reach, buoyed by a resurgence in travel demand and the nation's strong business and tourism reputation. According to the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), passenger traffic is projected to hit 140 million, underscoring the sustained growth and competitiveness of UAE airlines. As of now, UAE national carriers serve approximately 606 destinations worldwide, a 3.4 percent increase from the 586 destinations last recorded at the end of 2023.

Etihad Airways is particularly aggressive in its expansion plans, aiming to hit 125 destinations by 2030. The airline seeks to leverage its strategic location bridging Asia and Europe, targeting an annual passenger count of over 33 million. This year alone, Etihad has added 10 new destinations and plans to introduce several more after launching 15 routes last year, including Lisbon, Copenhagen, Calcutta, and Osaka. Notably, flights to Thailand will rise to 41 per week starting October, and services to Nairobi will resume on December 15.

In the first seven months of 2024, Etihad recorded transporting 10.4 million passengers and expanded its fleet to 93 aircraft, up from 78 in July 2023. The airline registered a net profit after tax of AED 851 million for H1 2024, a 48 percent year-on-year increase, with revenues touching AED 11.7 billion. Emirates, covering 144 destinations across six continents, is also ramping up capacity to meet growing demand. The airline will introduce its upgraded Boeing 777 to Zurich and Riyadh in early October, followed by Geneva and Brussels. Emirates is modernizing 80 more Boeing 777 aircraft as part of a USD 3 billion program focused on enhancing passenger experience.

(With inputs from agencies.)