Could Etihad Airways’ highly anticipated IPO be pushed again to 2026?

Etihad Airways is reportedly set to delay its planned USD 1 bn IPO on the ADX to early 2026, according to sources cited by Zawya. The firm has been ready to list, but is waiting on shareholders to pull the trigger, CEO Antonoaldo Neves said in April, who added that they don’t “need” liquidity right now. Etihad was expected to kick off the IPO of a 20% stake in early March, following a roadshow that took place in February to sound out investors.

Waiting for new businesses to reflect in the books? “Etihad has done well signing JVs with partner airlines this year, and it now needs to deliver on these for its investors. While coming to market is not an issue, it just makes better business sense to push the IPO to early 2026,” the source said. In March, Etihad Airways entered into a strategic partnership with Ethiopian Airlines to enhance connectivity between their networks in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. In May, it invested USD 14.5 bn with Boeing and GE Aviation to purchase 28 US-made Boeing aircraft.

Lesson learned from Flynas + Wizz Air: Some sources also took note of muted sentiment towards aviation stocks in light of recent geopolitical tensions and their knock-on effects on regional air traffic. Saudi budget airline Flynas saw a disappointing public market debut last month, with shares dipping 3.4%, and is now 10.7% down from the IPO price. The move also comes on the heels of Wizz Air’s decision to exit the Abu Dhabi market from 1 September — a shift that opens up fresh room for Etihad and other regional carriers to expand in the budget travel segment.

Who’s who in UAE aviation: The sector is anchored by full-service heavyweights Emirates and Etihad, while low-cost carriers Air Arabia and FlyDubai dominate the value segment. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi’s imminent closure will likely redraw some of the competitive lines, particularly in the LCC space. With strong state backing and global connectivity, aviation remains a central pillar of the UAE’s economic diversification strategy.

ADVISORS- The firm reportedly tapped Citigroup, HSBC, and First Abu Dhabi Bank for the IPO.