Etihad Airways Career

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, was established in July 2003 by Royal (Amiri) Decree and commenced commercial operations in November 2003. Based in Abu Dhabi, with its hub at Zayed International Airport, Etihad operates over 1,000 weekly flights to more than 90 passenger and cargo destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. Its fleet, consisting of 97 Airbus and Boeing aircraft as of January 2024, supports its core passenger services, alongside Etihad Cargo and Etihad Holidays.

The airline was founded with AED500 million in start-up capital under the vision of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to create a flagship carrier for Abu Dhabi. It aims to reflect Arabian hospitality—cultured, considerate, and generous—while enhancing Abu Dhabi’s global prestige. Etihad’s growth has been rapid, earning recognition as one of the fastest-growing airlines in commercial aviation history. Its offerings include premium cabins like The Residence (a three-room suite on A380s), First Class, Business Class, and Economy Class with options like extra legroom Economy Space.

Etihad has pursued strategic partnerships, previously holding stakes in airlines like Air Berlin (29.21%), Air Seychelles (40%), Virgin Australia (10%), Jet Airways (24%), and Alitalia (49%), though many of these were divested due to financial challenges. Its Etihad Airways Partners alliance, launched in 2015, ceased in 2018. The airline reported its first net profit in 2011 (US$14 million) but faced significant losses in 2016 (US$1.873 billion) and 2017 (US$1.52 billion), partly due to failed investments.

Committed to sustainability, Etihad aligns with UAE goals, focusing on reducing environmental impact through incremental changes. Its responsibility program emphasizes humanitarian aid, global education, safe housing, and empowerment. The airline also fosters Emirati talent, offering career development and promoting a diverse, innovative workforce.