Almost 14.8 million passengers flew with Etihad Airways in 2014, an increase of 23 per cent from 2013.

Etihad Airways also reported strong cargo growth for 2014, with 568,648 tonnes of freight and mail flown in total, a 17 per cent increase from 2013.

The airline accounted for 89.6 per cent of cargo imports and exports at Abu Dhabi International airport last year.

Etihad Airways has also recently launched a tender for the design and build of a new cargo terminal within the east midfield development of Abu Dhabi International airport and has asked contractors to submit bids by 15 February.

The company has conducted studies and has confirmed the terminal will have over a 400,000 square metre floor area and operations are set to commence by 2017.

The new terminal will accommodate the growth of its operations due to future expansion plans and will enable Etihad Airways Cargo to handle 2.5 million tonnes by 2025.

Etihad Airways is currently in the process of completing the design scope for the project brief.

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is also expanding the emirate’s main passenger airport to increase its capacity from 12 million to 32 million passengers a year, as part of the government’s Plan Abu Dhabi 2030.