Etihad Airways revenues peak to $1.3 billion in third quarter

Etihad Airways Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arabs Emirates, today reported third quarter revenues of US$ 1.3 billion, up 19 per cent on 2011 (US$ 1.1 billion). The record revenues reflected passenger numbers up 23 per cent, with 2.79 million travellers in the quarter (2.27 million).
Seat factors of 81.2 per cent mark the best ever quarterly performance by the airline, with passenger numbers on track to pass the 10 million milestone in 2012.
The rise in revenues continues to outperform the airline's growth in capacity and Etihad Airways remains confident of achieving full year profitability for the second year running.
Passenger revenues were boosted by codeshare and partner revenues, which jumped 51 per cent to US$ 182 million (US$ 121 million). The airline's 38 partners helped to create a total network of 315 destinations, more than any other Middle Eastern carrier.
A significant contribution came from Air Berlin, in which Etihad Airways holds a 29.21 per cent equity stake. The two airlines' extensive codeshare and joint marketing agreements have delivered US$ 51 million in revenues to Etihad Airways year-to-date, surpassing the initial full year estimates.
Etihad Airways and Air Berlin have delivered a combined total of more than 150,000 passengers into each other's networks so far this year.
Air Seychelles, in which Etihad holds a 40 per cent stake, continues to grow revenues through increased frequencies and codeshares, with four flights to Abu Dhabi now offering 375 sub-four hour onward connections a week. Air Seychelles is also reducing costs as it leverages synergies, sharing economies of scale and integration of back office functions with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi.
Air Seychelles remains on track to break even in 2012, in the first year of Etihad Airways' five-year management contract, confirming a dramatic turnaround in the airline's economic fortunes after several years of heavy losses.
Virgin Australia, in which Etihad Airways now holds a 10 per cent stake, continued to deliver a strong contribution, with codeshare revenues to Etihad Airways up 16 per cent year-on-year.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways' President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "Our third quarter saw continued progress across the business, with all key indicators showing strong performance and we remain confident of delivering full year profitability based on current market conditions.
"We are particularly pleased with the contribution from our codeshare and equity partners. This component of our strategy is delivering a strong and growing revenue stream, complementing our own double-digit organic growth." Revenue from codeshare partners represented 18 per cent of Etihad Airways' total passenger revenue in the quarter.
During the quarter, Etihad Airways signed interline and codeshare agreements with Aer Lingus, China Eastern Airlines and RAK Airways, further expanding the network's footprint.
Etihad Airways continued to drive down costs, with costs per available seat kilometre (CASK), excluding fuel, falling to their lowest levels this year. An independent benchmarking study by aviation consultants Seabury shows that Etihad Airways is in the lowest cost quartile for CASK, when compared to major international full service airlines.