Etihad Airways aims to triple passenger numbers from the current 13 million to 30 million by 2030 by increasing stopovers in Abu Dhabi. This is in response to the growing congestion at the neighboring Dubai International Airport, which already handled 87 million passengers in 2023 and will remain congested for years, as the new airport will not open for a long time.

Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad, stated to the Financial Times: "Dubai is currently heavily congested, and there is little capacity left. Abu Dhabi offers us the opportunity to continue our expansion and meet the growing demand in the long-haul flight market." This strategy is intended to help Etihad compete in a highly competitive market with rivals such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines. Despite these rivals, Etihad remains the smallest player among the four major airlines, with Saudi Arabia planning to launch its own airline next year.

Since his appointment in 2022, Neves has consciously avoided direct competition on "ultra-long-haul" flights, instead focusing on opening new markets. Etihad is expanding its route network with multiple daily flights to Mumbai, Oman, and Riyadh to attract passengers who would otherwise fly via Dubai. This tactical realignment aims to maximize the occupancy of the Abu Dhabi base and reduce dependence on the overloaded Dubai hub.

A key advantage for Etihad is the ongoing global shortage of aircraft and spare parts, which limits the possibility of over-expansion. Neves emphasized: "The market is currently artificially constrained. It is almost impossible to obtain additional aircraft, which supports our growth plans." This market situation provides Etihad with a strategic advantage as competitors are also struggling with capacity shortages.

Alongside the expansion into new markets, Etihad is considering an Initial Public Offering (IPO), with the majority of the investments being supported by the Abu Dhabi Sovereign Wealth Fund ADQ. Neves assured that the planned $7 billion expansion does not rely on external capital and that the company is ready to manage the necessary funding internally. 'We need to be ready, and that is a matter of management. The timing of an IPO will be determined by the shareholders, not by us,' he explained.

The recent flight cancellations to Beirut and Tel Aviv due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon underscore the challenges facing Etihad. Neves stated: "We rely on our own risk assessments and external information to ensure the safety of our flights." Despite these external disruptions, Etihad remains determined to achieve its growth targets and strengthen its position in the global aviation industry.