Etihad Airways has billions mapped out for the skies ahead—but selling shares isn’t on the flight plan just yet.
Speaking from Chicago, CEO Antonoaldo Neves made it clear the Abu Dhabi-based airline is in no hurry to go public. The company, he said, has enough financial muscle to power through its $20 billion expansion strategy over the next decade without leaning on outside investors.
“An IPO isn’t an Etihad decision—it’s a shareholder decision,” Neves explained, pointing to sovereign wealth fund ADQ, which took the reins of the airline in 2022. “The time hasn’t arrived.”
Founded in 2003, Etihad once tried to build its empire through buying into other airlines. That bet didn’t pay off, leaving ADQ to step in. Neves, brought on as CEO at that same turning point, has been steering the carrier toward a different horizon: growth from within.
The goal is clear—solidify Abu Dhabi as a global hub bridging Asia and Europe. And the airline is doing just that. Passenger numbers have jumped 17% this year, with planes flying 88% full, an uptick from last year. Even a slowdown caused by the Israel-Iran conflict quickly bounced back, with bookings returning to full strength by July.
Fleet strength is also on the rise. Etihad operates more than 100 aircraft, blending Airbus and Boeing models. Earlier this year, it locked in an order for 28 Boeing wide-bodies, including the next-generation 777X, slated to replace its Airbus A380s after 2030. Beyond that, Neves hinted at shopping in the secondary market—through lessors and pre-owned jets—rather than relying solely on the big manufacturers.
The airline’s message is steady: global uncertainty won’t derail its trajectory. For Etihad, the runway ahead is long, the funding is secure, and the IPO question can wait.
