The Abu Dhabi-based carrier plans to offer 20% of its business by selling 2.7 billion new shares, with proceeds directed toward funding its expansion rather than benefiting its main shareholder, Abu Dhabi’s $225 billion wealth fund ADQ.
Neither Etihad nor ADQ immediately responded to requests for comment on the listing, which is expected to be a bright spot for investors in an airline industry grappling with global delivery delays, labor unrest, and rising costs—challenges that have particularly hit European carriers.
Etihad Airways, which reported a net profit of $476 million last year, more than tripling its previous earnings, has undergone a multi-year restructuring under CEO Antonoaldo Neves. The airline is now focused on aggressive expansion, aiming to serve over 125 destinations by 2030 as part of Abu Dhabi’s push to establish itself as a global aviation hub.
That vision took a major leap forward in 2023 with the opening of the multibillion-dollar Zayed International Airport terminal, which tripled Abu Dhabi’s passenger capacity to 45 million per year.
Etihad’s IPO would be the second public offering in the UAE this year, following technology services firm Alpha Data, which announced a 40% stake sale earlier this month.
