Etihad Airways and TAP Air Portugal launch a Frequent Flyer partnership agreement
Etihad Guest and TAP Miles&Go loyalty members flying across the Etihad Airways or TAP Air Portugal networks are now able to earn and redeem miles in their respective loyalty programme.
ABU DHABI, UAE – Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, and TAP Air Portugal, the national carrier of Portugal, have launched a frequent flyer partnership from today (14 May 2025). The agreement enables members of both Etihad Guest and the TAP Miles&Go programme to earn and redeem their respective loyalty currency on either carrier.
Etihad Guest members are able to redeem their miles on flights, worldwide hotel stays and holidays, or shop from a variety of products from the Etihad Guest Reward Shop. TAP Miles&Go member miles can be spent on flights and a range of additional offers such as TAP Store items.
Mark Potter, Managing Director Etihad Guest, said: 'We're delighted to launch our frequent flyer partnership with TAP Air Portugal, offering our members even more ways to earn and redeem their miles across the airline's network in the Americas, Europe and Africa. We're devoted to expanding our Etihad Guest offering and rewarding our loyalty members wherever they travel. We look forward to welcoming TAP Miles&Go members on Etihad Airways and offering them the ability to earn or redeem their miles when they choose to travel across our expanding network.'
This partnership follows the strategic codeshare established between the carriers in 2023, unlocking enhanced connectivity for guests and offering more destinations and further choice through a fully global network. Networks of both airlines complement each other with destinations across North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. The codeshare allows Etihad Guest members to be rewarded for travel to destinations such as Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro and Cancun, whilst TAP Miles & Go members will be able to earn miles exploring Etihad's expanding network with new destinations such as Chiang Mai, Hong Kong and Medan.
Pedro Flores Ribeiro, Director TAP Miles&Go, considers that 'It's very exciting to be able to offer our TAP Miles&Go members the possibility of redeeming their miles with Etihad flights across a range of attractive destinations. We also welcome Etihad Guest members to discover TAP Air Portugal network and our warm Portuguese hospitality and service.'
Etihad Airways Reports Record Results Of AED 685m.
Etihad Airways has delivered record-breaking financial performance and highest-ever customer satisfaction performance in the first quarter of 2025, building on last year's momentum with further notable improvements across revenue, operational efficiency, and fleet expansion.
Profit after tax reached AED 685 million (U.S.$ 187 million), marking a 30 per cent increase year-on-year, driven by robust passenger demand and operational efficiencies. Total revenue saw a 15 per cent rise compared to Q1 2024, supported by both passenger and cargo business.
Etihad continues to lead the region in passenger growth, carrying 5.0 million guests in Q1 2025 – a 16 per cent year-on-year increase – and maintaining strong momentum into Q2. With nearly 20 million passengers carried over the last 12 months, Etihad is the fastest-growing airline in the region.
Customer satisfaction reached a record high in Q1 2025, with scores improving by 20 per cent year-on-year. Gains were recorded across key touchpoints, including check-in, boarding, inflight service, food and beverage, Wi-Fi, and the updated website and mobile app. The quarter also saw the launch of new lounge and inflight menus, alongside upgraded service standards.
The fleet continued to expand to support the guest experience. One additional A380 returned to service during the quarter, offering First Apartments and The Residence. In April, Etihad took delivery of another A350-1000, with another Boeing 787 Dreamliner to follow. These new aircraft feature ultra-high-speed Wi-Fi and updated inflight entertainment systems.
Etihad also advanced its premium offering, expanding First Class to more routes and preparing new ground and inflight services for rollout from August. In April, the airline introduced its new A321LR cabin, becoming the first in the region to offer First Class on a single-aisle aircraft. The cabin features exclusive private First suites and lie-flat Business seats, bringing widebody comfort to medium-haul routes. The broader First class experience will include a new concierge service, private chauffeur transfers, dedicated check-in, meet-and-assist service, and baggage-free travel options in Abu Dhabi.
'We are proud to deliver a record-breaking quarter – both in profitability and in guest satisfaction,' said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways. 'Achieving our highest-ever Q1 profit of AED 685 million and our best-ever customer satisfaction scores reflects the strength of our business and the dedication of our people.
'We're executing a clear strategy: grow sustainably, operate efficiently, and never lose focus on delivering remarkable experiences to our guests. From continued refinements to our onboard offering to improved airport services and the debut of our A321LR with a market-leading narrowbody product, we're raising the bar in every part of the journey.
'Our network continues to expand with 16 new routes announced for 2025 and additional aircraft joining our fleet. As we grow, we remain disciplined and focused on quality, efficiency, and creating value for our customers and stakeholders.'
Passenger revenue grew by 16 per cent reaching AED 5.5 billion (U.S.$ 1.5 billion), driven by increased capacity, continued network expansion and increased flight frequencies.
Passenger growth was boosted by a 14 per cent rise year-on-year in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) and an improved passenger load factor of 87 per cent (+1 pp year-on-year). Fleet expansion accelerated, with 98 aircraft in operation by the end of the quarter, including the reintroduction of Etihad's sixth A380. The operating fleet further grew in the month of April with the delivery of an additional A350-1000.
Etihad operated 80 destinations as of March 2025, with 16 new routes launching this year to support continued growth and broaden access to key global markets.
Improved cargo yield led to cargo revenue growth of 8 per cent year-on-year, despite a 4 per cent reduction in volumes.
The strong operational performance is reflected in the EBITDA, which rose by 32 per cent year-on-year, reaching AED 1.4 billion (U.S.$ 379 million), boosting the EBITDA margin to 21 per cent (+3 pp compared to the same period of 2024).
Further strengthening financial resilience, net leverage improved to 1.1x, down from 1.9x in March 2024, driven by scheduled debt repayments and strong cash generation. Cash flow from operations reached AED 1.8 billion (U.S.$ 500 million), reflecting an 11 per cent increase year-on-year.
Highlights
Profit after tax reached AED 685 million (U.S.$ 187 million), up 30 per cent year-on-year, with profit margin at 10 per cent (+1pp year-on-year)
Customer satisfaction improved year-on-year, supported by enhancements to the onboard experience, airport services, and on-time performance
Capacity continued to expand with ASK growing by 14 per cent year-on-year due to additional aircraft (+9 year-on-year) and higher aircraft utilisation
Carried 5.0 million passengers, a 16 per cent increase year-on-year, with load factor improving to 87%, up 1 pp year-on-year
Strong network with 80 destinations operated in March 2025 and 16 new destinations to be launched in 2025
Total Revenue grew 15 per cent year-on-year, reaching AED 6.6 billion (U.S.$ 1.8 billion), driven by both passenger and cargo business
Passenger revenue reached AED 5.5 billion (U.S.$ 1.5 billion), supported by increasing volumes
Cargo revenue rose 8 per cent year-on-year, despite a 4 per cent drop in volumes, supported by higher yields
Strong revenue and cost efficiencies boosted EBITDA by 32 per cent year-on-year to AED 1.4 billion (U.S.$ 379 million), with EBITDA margin at 21 per cent (+3pp year-on-year)
Strong cash generation with cash flow from operation at AED 1.8 billion (U.S.$ 500 million), an increase of 11 per cent year-on-year
Net leverage at 1.1x (from 1.9x in March 2024), supported by debt repayments and strong cash generation
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Travel Daily News
a day ago
- Travel Daily News
Shaikha Al Nowais elected UN Tourism Secretary-General
Shaikha Al Nowais secures the UN Tourism Secretary-General post, becoming the first woman to lead the agency. Gloria Guevara graciously concedes, reflecting on the competitive global election. Today, the global tourism community turned its attention to Madrid, where the Executive Council of UN Tourism gathered to decide the organization's strategic leadership for the 2026–2029 term. In a historic decision, Shaikha Al Nowais of the United Arab Emirates secured the council's nomination as the next Secretary-General, marking the first time a woman will hold the top position in the agency's 50-year history. Al Nowais, a corporate vice president at Rotana Hotels in Abu Dhabi, emerged as the frontrunner early in the voting process, clinching 16 votes in the first round and ultimately securing a projected 24 votes in the second round — well above the minimum 18 required. Her closest competitor, Greece's Harry Theoharis, who played a key role in Greece's tourism recovery during the COVID-19 crisis, received 11 votes. The selection now awaits formal approval by the United Nations General Assembly before Al Nowais takes office in January 2026. A vision for transformation In her remarks following the nomination, Al Nowais emphasized the transformational agenda she intends to bring to global tourism governance: 'As an Emirati woman, I'm honored to make history as the first woman worldwide to win the nomination for Secretary-General of UN Tourism (2026–2029). My vision rests on five pillars that will transform global tourism: Responsible Tourism — protecting our planet, cultures, and communities; Capacity Building — empowering women, youth, and local leaders; Technology for Good — innovation that enhances lives while safeguarding privacy; Innovative Financing — creating sustainable funding models for lasting growth; and Smart Governance — delivering transparent, accountable leadership. For a sustainable tourism future that serves communities around the world.' Her leadership represents not only a milestone for gender representation but also a strategic shift in the agency's priorities, particularly as Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a global tourism hub with recent projects like the announcement of a Disneyland park and a Las Vegas-style Sphere entertainment venue. Gloria Guevara's gracious exit Among the five other candidates vying for the post, Mexico's Gloria Guevara, one of the most recognized voices in global tourism, was considered a strong contender but was eliminated in the first round after receiving eight votes. Guevara, who has more than 35 years of experience and served as Mexico's Minister of Tourism, offered a gracious concession and public congratulations to her opponent: 'Following today's vote of UN Tourism in Spain, I would like to thank President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and the Government of Mexico for their unwavering support throughout my campaign. I am also grateful to all the leaders who endorsed my candidacy, and to my amazing team who stood by me on this journey. Congratulations to the new Secretary-General of UN Tourism — I wish her success in this important role.' Guevara's platform centered on building tourism resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity, particularly in the Global South. Despite her exit, her candidacy underscored Mexico's continued leadership ambitions within global tourism circles. Africa's ambitions and lessons learned Ghana's Muhammed Adam, the African Union's officially endorsed candidate, received just two votes and was also eliminated in the first round. His defeat raised important questions about the coherence and effectiveness of African diplomatic coordination in multilateral tourism leadership contests. Despite the setback, Adam's campaign brought attention to critical issues such as strengthening the voice of developing countries and securing greater technical and financial support for underrepresented regions. Strategic challenges ahead Al Nowais will inherit an organization facing significant challenges, including declining membership after the departure of key countries like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., who have questioned the value proposition of UN Tourism. She will be tasked with rebuilding trust, enhancing operational transparency, and aligning the agency's initiatives with the rapidly evolving needs of the global tourism sector — particularly in the post-pandemic landscape. For travel and hospitality professionals, the coming years under Al Nowais' leadership will be closely watched as a test of how global governance structures can effectively support sustainable growth, innovation, and inclusivity in tourism. Update: Statement by Harry Theoharis on the Conclusion of the UN Tourism Secretary-General Election 'I fully respect the decision of the Executive Council of the UN Tourism to elect Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais as the next Secretary-General. I extend to her my warmest congratulations and sincere wishes for every success in her new role, with the hope that the Organization will move forward decisively—toward a more effective, modern, and inclusive future. Although I was not elected, I am proud of the journey we undertook. We conducted a campaign defined by integrity, consistency, and global reach—conducted with dignity and clear purpose. My candidacy positioned Greece as a constructive voice in international dialogue, offering concrete proposals for a tourism sector that is resilient, sustainable, and fair. It reaffirmed our country's institutional presence on the global stage. If the principles that guided our vision—transparency, green development, and the empowerment of local communities—contribute in any way to shaping the Organization's future course, it would be for me a deeply meaningful and lasting reward. I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to my family, my dedicated team, the Minister of Tourism Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the private sector partners whose support helped bring this campaign to life. Αbove all, I thank Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for his trust and invaluable support. Without their belief in this vision, this journey would never have begun. This campaign was, for me, not only a political endeavour but a national one. Greece has gained international recognition and credibility—and that, regardless of the electoral outcome, is our most important achievement. My involvement in the field of tourism will continue. I remain present, committed, and ready to contribute wherever I can be of service—with ideas, proposals, and action. With renewed determination, I continue in my responsibilities as a Member of the Hellenic Parliament with New Democracy, fully dedicated to representing the needs of our citizens and fulfilling our collective mission. One chapter closes. A new one begins. We move forward—with knowledge, experience, and the firm belief that Greece deserves more. Thank you.'
Travel Daily News
a day ago
- Travel Daily News
Experience Oxfordshire Venues: More confirmed bookings for Oxfordshire
Experience Oxfordshire Venues drives £1.2 million in proposals, achieving 25% booking growth and expanding global MICE market engagement for the county. Experience Oxfordshire Venues' focus on growing the county's share of the lucrative, global, business visits, meetings, incentives, conferences, and events market is showing an impressive return on investment. Over the last year the team has participated at carefully selected domestic and international exhibitions to showcase the county's enviable collection of venues and meeting spaces. In face-to-face discussions with decision-makers holding budget and responsibility for organising every size of meeting and event, the Venues team showcased the excellent quality and wide range of settings that buyers and their clients can book in Oxfordshire. In the past 12-months the team's work has generated requests for proposals worth over £1.2 million in potential incremental income for venues in the county and a 25% growth in conversions to bookings against the previous year. Earlier this year the team exhibited at International Confex, held at London's Excel. The event attracts the largest UK and European BVE (Business Visits and Events) audience of event buyers, from corporate event teams to agencies and associations, and was a great platform to showcase Experience Oxfordshire Venues partner product. This June Experience Oxfordshire Venues will be back at Excel proud to represent the county at The Meetings Show with partners Heythrop Park Hotel, Oxford Official Walking Tours and University of Oxford – Gardens, Libraries & Museums which includes the Ashmolean Museum Oxford, Bodleian Libraries, History of Science Museum, Museum of Natural History, Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum, and the Pitt Rivers Museum. The show attracts over 6,000 pre-qualified buyers and promises high quality engagement. As the county's Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), Experience Oxfordshire has secured a place for the Venues team on the European Sales Mission 2025, MeetEngland's (a division of national tourism agency, VisitEngland) three city engagement roadshow. Held at the British Ambassador's residency in Geneva, Paris and Brussels, Experience Oxfordshire will hold meetings with the organisers of, much sought after, association events. For the third consecutive year, Experience Oxfordshire Venues will be attending IBTM World, Barcelona, as part of the MeetEngland stand. This is the leading global event for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) industry with access to 12,000+ industry professionals. Experience Oxfordshire has recently become a corporate member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Events, a cross-party group made up of members from both Houses of Parliament. In operation since 2011, the group champions the UK events industry by increasing its profile among Members of Parliament, Government Ministers, and senior officials across Whitehall. Following her attendance at the APPG's first major event of the new Parliament, Experience Oxfordshire's CEO, Hayley Beer-Gamage said: 'Experience Oxfordshire recognises the importance of the BVE and MICE markets to the county, with business visitors alone accounting for 25% of all visits made and £552 million of spend. Oxfordshire is well placed to further develop its share of this market and we are pleased to see that our efforts over the last year have had such a tangible impact. It's a sector of the visitor economy which requires a strategic approach and on-going investment as events often have a long lead-in time. We have a growing number of businesses working with us as part of Experience Oxfordshire Venues which is enabling us to better showcase Oxfordshire as a destination of choice for business visits and events.' The events industry nationally currently generates over £61 billion in direct value to the UK economy, and is responsible for providing jobs across a range of supporting sectors. Commenting on opportunities for Oxfordshire in this sector, and Experience Oxfordshire Venues' work supporting it, Paul Black, Head of Business Events at VisitBritain/VisitEngland said: 'With its heritage properties, state of the art venues, cultural assets and links to academic excellence and innovative industries, Oxfordshire provides a combination of attractive product and intellectual leadership to draw all genres of business event. In this very competitive market, it's essential to communicate with buyers on the opportunities available across Oxfordshire. MeetEngland (part of VisitEngland) is delighted for the Experience Oxfordshire Venues team to join us this year at our international trade shows, which will provide excellent opportunities to engage with important influencers and potential bookers. It is always a pleasure working in partnership with the team to promote England to global buyer audiences.' Alongside the industry engagement programme the Experience Oxfordshire Venue Finding Service is a free-to-the-user venue finding service which handles requests for advice and information on an ongoing basis from enquirers from across the globe. During the last twelve months the team managed a range of enquiries from event organisers based in the UK, Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, Spain and the USA worth over £1.2 million. A key tool to attract MICE business is the digital Experience Oxfordshire Venues Guide, sixty-two pages highlighting the range, diversity and depth of quality of the venues, incentives and experiences available within the county. This is complemented by an inspirational video showcasing the fantastic range of venues and their services on offer. Whether buyers are looking for sleek modernity or history and heritage, Oxfordshire venues are seen to provide top of the class facilities within an inspirational environment.
Travel Daily News
a day ago
- Travel Daily News
FITURNEXT: How tourism can contribute to responsible water management
FITURNEXT 2026 invites tourism initiatives promoting responsible water use, awarding impactful, replicable projects that support sustainable industry practices globally. MADRID – FITUR is looking for good tourism practices for the seventh edition of the FITURNEXT Observatory, the initiative to promote sustainable and regenerative tourism. The 2026 Challenge is framed around how tourism can contribute to efficient and responsible water management, aligned with various United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that aim to promote the right to clean and healthy water, health and wellbeing, climate action and responsible production and consumption. Any initiative that promotes a balance between water management and tourism and water sustainability can sign up until 31 August. The selected projects, following the criteria of a replicability barometer and an impact barometer, will be awarded during the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) in January 2026. F acts and the importance of efficient water management in tourism In many countries, water pollution is a challenge for human and environmental health. According to UN data, today more than one billion people still lack access to safe drinking water and only 0.5% of the world's water is usable and accessible freshwater. The global urban population facing water scarcity is expected to double from 930 million in 2016 to 1700-2400 million people in 2050, leading to an imminent risk of aglobal water crisis. Likewise, water consumption is much higher in tourist areas: an average resident consumes 127 litres per day, while a tourist consumes between 450 and 800 litres per day. To address this situation, FITURNEXT is focusing its next edition on researching tourism initiatives that contribute to responsible water consumption and reduce water stress. The three categories for awarding initiatives The call is open to any company, public administration, organisation or project that promotes sustainable water use in the tourism sector and seeks to make visible and inspire other destinations that want to improve their relationship with water resources with their replicable models. Initiatives can be entered in three categories: Destinations and other territories: Aimed at public administrations and territorial bodies to implement innovative strategies in the sustainable management of the water cycle. HORECA and transport sector: Aimed at accommodation, catering and transport companies that apply solutions to optimise the use of water in their tourism services. Other agents in the tourism value chain: For travel agencies, operators, tourism experience companies and other entities with tools or initiatives that promote the responsible use of water in the industry. Thus, initiatives that fit into one of these categories have the opportunity to form part of the FITURNEXT Observatory and be recognised as one of the sector's best practices. The winning and finalist projects will participate in the activities that will take place at the FITUR 2026 stand and in subsequent actions, benefiting from the visibility provided by being part of the FITURNEXT community, thanks to its impact on the media and the different synergies generated among its participants.
