The Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has recorded its strongest ever passenger and cargo results for the first quarter in 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 per cent; and cargo revenues of $193 million against $165 million in 2012, an increase of 17 per cent. Passenger numbers in Q1 2013 also grew by 18 per cent.

Revenue from code-share and equity partners jumped by 34 per cent in the first three months of the year and represented 20 per cent of total revenue in the quarter.

The average seat factor was 80.5 per cent, four percentage points higher than 76.5 per cent in 2012, despite a 12 per cent increase in capacity. The seat factor is above IATA’s current global average of 77.1 per cent.

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.

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