Etihad Airways reports 15% capacity increase despite war impact

Investing.com -- Etihad Airways said Monday its passenger-carrying capacity has increased 15% to 17% compared to a year ago, as the Abu Dhabi-based carrier works to recover from disruptions caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves told Reuters the airline's available seat kilometers, the standard measure of passenger-carrying capacity, has grown despite the conflict that began in late February and disrupted flights across the Middle East for several weeks.

The carrier reported a load factor of 92% in August, measuring how well the airline fills available seats. Etihad targets a load factor above 87% for the rest of the year.

"We are back on track," Neves said.

The war forced airspace closures in March and April, leading Etihad to expect flat revenue for 2026 compared to 2025. The airline anticipates profitability to be near zero this year as a result.

Neves said travel patterns face additional pressure from trade disputes and visa restrictions. He noted that visa decisions by the U.S. and Canada have reduced traffic from India to those countries, including student travel.

The CEO expressed confidence about the winter season, though he noted a shift in booking patterns with more passengers making late reservations. This trend matches observations from Emirates, a regional competitor.

Neves added that the airline is generating cash to invest in its fleet.

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