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Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has recorded its strongest ever passenger and cargo results for a first quarter in the 10 years of its operations, the airline has announced.
The airline posted Q1 2013 passenger revenues of $900 million as compared to $758 million in 2012, an increase of 19%; and cargo revenues of $193 million against $165 million in 2012, an increase of 17%. Passenger numbers in Q1 2013 also grew by 18%.
Revenue from code-share and equity partners jumped by 34% in the first three months of the year and represented 20% of total revenue in the quarter.
The average seat factor was 80.5%, four percentage points higher than 76.5% in 2012, despite a 12% increase in capacity. The seat factor is above IATA's current global average of 77.1%.
This performance demonstrates that Etihad Airways' strategy of organic growth, wide-ranging partnerships, and strategic equity investments is delivering for us and our partners, James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said.
Etihad Airways' equity alliance comprises Air Berlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, and Aer Lingus. Each airline announced profitable results during the first quarter of 2013, which demonstrates the success of this new alliance model for all the member airlines.
