Middle Eastern airline Etihad Airways expects to add more than 20 aircraft to its fleet over the next 18 months.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline expanded its fleet to 92 aircraft in the first half of the year – seven more than at the end of 2023 – including three Boeing 787s and three Airbus A321neos.

According to Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Aviation Group, the A321neo is a new type for the airline and six of them will enter service this year.

The company delivered a strong performance in the first half of the year, with net profit for the six-month period rising 48% to 851 million dirhams ($232 million). Operating profit reached just over 1 billion dirhams.

Neves said the “robust” result demonstrated the “stability of our strategy and our growth trajectory.” The airline’s network was expanded to 81 destinations.

Revenue increased 21% to AED 11.7 billion in the first half of the year, including an increase of 24% in the passenger sector and 10% in the cargo sector.

“Our strategic growth and network expansion not only strengthens the connectivity of our capital but also contributes significantly to the prosperity of the United Arab Emirates economy,” says the group’s chairman, Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa.

“We are committed to continuing to enhance our services and expand our reach to ensure Abu Dhabi remains a key global travel hub.”