Etihad Airways Flies Record 10.29 Million Passengers In 2012

Etihad Airways has surpassed its target of carrying 10 million passengers in 2012 and is set to achieve a 22 percent increase on the total of 8.41 million passengers for 2011.

The increase in passenger numbers – up to a total of 10.29 million – represents an extra 1.88 million passengers traveling on the carrier’s global network that now covers 87 of its own passenger and cargo destinations, and 245 codeshare destinations.

The passenger growth for Etihad Airways is mirrored by its equity partners. By the end of 2012, airberlin is expected to have carried 33.4 million passengers, Virgin Australia 19.5 million passengers, Aer Lingus nearly 11 million passengers, and Air Seychelles 241,000 passengers.

Etihad Airways and its equity partners will have collectively carried more than 74 million passengers in 2012, with cooperation between the five airlines greatly contributing to passenger growth.

The airline has announced it will start flights to at least three new destinations in 2013, Washington DC in March, Sao Paulo in June, and Ho Chi Minh City in October.

Top 10 passengers by route in 2012:
1. Bangkok
2. Manila
3. London Heathrow
4. Jeddah
5. Sydney
6. Paris
7. Frankfurt
8. Manchester
9. Doha
10. Dublin