Etihad Joins Abu Dhabi’s Consolidated L’imad Investment Platform
Etihad Airways is set to become part of a newly consolidated sovereign investment platform under L’imad, as Abu Dhabi restructures the ownership and oversight of key state assets. The move places the airline within a broader investment portfolio overseen by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, reinforcing the emirate’s strategy to align major national companies under a unified, long-term investment framework.
The decision follows a resolution issued on January 30 by Abu Dhabi’s Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs, which approved the consolidation of the assets and investments of L’imad Holding Company and ADQ under the L’imad umbrella. According to a statement from the Abu Dhabi government, the objective is to establish a sovereign investment platform with a diversified asset base that supports sustainable investment and contributes to long-term economic development across Abu Dhabi and the wider United Arab Emirates.
Under the new structure, Etihad Airways will sit within a portfolio that includes around 25 investment companies and platforms, together overseeing more than 250 subsidiaries across multiple sectors. These span aviation, transport, logistics, infrastructure, energy, and strategic industries, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s ambition to create scale, coordination, and financial resilience across its state-backed enterprises.
Etihad’s ownership has evolved significantly in recent years. Until October 2022, Etihad Aviation Group was directly owned by the Abu Dhabi government. At that point, full ownership was transferred to ADQ, alongside other major transport and infrastructure assets including Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Rail. The latest consolidation effectively shifts Etihad into a broader sovereign investment context, while maintaining alignment with Abu Dhabi’s long-term policy and economic priorities.
For Etihad, inclusion within L’imad’s expanded portfolio may provide greater strategic flexibility and access to capital, while embedding the airline more deeply within Abu Dhabi’s wider economic ecosystem. The carrier has been pursuing a disciplined growth strategy focused on profitability, network optimisation, and partnerships, positioning itself as a commercially sustainable airline after years of restructuring.
The Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs continues to oversee Abu Dhabi’s principal sovereign investment entities, which include the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Mubadala Investment Company, L’imad Holding Company, and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. The consolidation under L’imad reflects a broader trend toward rationalising state ownership, improving governance, and enhancing coordination across major government-linked investments.
As Abu Dhabi continues to refine its sovereign investment architecture, folding Etihad into the L’imad platform underscores the airline’s role not only as a transport provider, but also as a strategic national asset within the emirate’s long-term economic and investment vision.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com