Etihad Airways announced results third quarter of 2013, with revenue from passenger services exceeding $1 billion for the first time and passenger numbers passing 3 million.

Total revenue rose 11 percent to $1.4 billion, compared to $1.3 billion in third quarter (Q3) of 2012, while network-wide passenger load factors reached 81 per cent.

Passenger revenues increased by 10 per cent in Q3 2013, to just over $1.03 billion (2012: $938 million), while cargo revenue was up by 39 per cent to $244 million (2012: $176 million).

Revenue from codeshare and equity alliance airline partners was $247 million in Q3 2013, 36 per cent higher than the $181 million delivered in Q3 2012. 
Partnership contributions accounted for 23 per cent of total Q3 passenger revenue, while passenger numbers rose by 11 per cent to 3.06 million (2012: 2.75 million).

James Hogan, president and chief executive officer of Etihad Airways, said the Q3 growth occurred in a climate of increasing capacity and ongoing price competition. It also compensated for reduced travel during the Holy Month of Ramadan, which fell across the traditional peak travel months of July and August.

“In addition to our own growth in Q3, we continued to develop our partnership strategy.” 

“Headlining our partnership activities, we continued to work closely with regulatory authorities in India as we progressed our plans to acquire 24 per cent of Jet Airways – the first offshore investment in an Indian airline under the country’s Foreign Direct Investment legislation.  

”We signed an agreement with the Government of Serbia to enter into a five-year contract to manage Serbia’s national airline, Air Serbia, currently trading as Jat Airways, and integrated its frequent flyer program with our own Etihad Guest. 
“We also increased our stake in Virgin Australia from 10.5 to 17.4 per cent, and launched partnerships with South African Airways, Air Canada, Belavia and Korean Air, taking to 46 our number of codeshare agreements and expanding our virtual network to 375 destinations.”

Etihad Airways introduced one new route in Q3, between Abu Dhabi and Sana’a, Yemen, and increased capacity on other routes through extra flights or the use of larger aircraft. 

Three aircraft joined the fleet – one new narrow-body Airbus A320, one new wide-body Boeing 777-300ER and a leased Airbus A330. Etihad Cargo also delivered a 41 per cent increase in volumes during Q3 to 132,448 tonnes (2012: 94,123). Etihad carries 90 per cent of all air cargo to and from its Abu Dhabi hub.

Third Quarter Summary:            

• Signed agreement with Government of Serbia to enter into five-year contract to manage Serbia’s national airline, Air Serbia, currently trading as Jat Airways
• Integrated Air Serbia’s frequent flyer program into Etihad Guest
• Increased shareholding in Virgin Australia from 10.5 per cent to 17.4 per cent
• Codeshare partnerships with South African Airways, Air Canada, Belavia and Korean Air
• Commenced flights to Sana’a, Yemen, four times per week
• Added three aircraft – one Airbus A320, one Boeing 777-300ER and one Airbus A330
• Airline Strategy Awards - Executive Leadership, James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Office

Key indicators	Q3 2013	Q3 2012	Variance
Passenger revenue	$1,034 million	$938 million	10%
Cargo revenue	$244 million	$176 million	39%
Total revenue	$1,409 million	$1,267 million	11%
Passenger numbers	3.04 million	2.75 million	11%
Seat factor	81%	81%	0%
Cargo tonnage	132,448 Tons	94,123 Tons	41%
Fleet	83	67	16

Key indicators	YTD 2013	YTD 2012	Variance
Passenger revenue	$2,854 million	$2,551 million	12%
Cargo revenue	$657 million	$522 million	26%
Total revenue	$3,827 million	$3,500 million	9%
Passenger numbers	8.6 million	7.6 million	13%
Seat factor	79%	79%	0%
Cargo tonnage	349,008 Tons	268,745 Tons	30%
Fleet	83	67	16