Etihad Airways DIGITAL

Target: Etihad Airways / Etihad Aviation Group

Research date: 22 October 2026

Scope: Enterprise technology, Israeli technology-sector relationships, cloud infrastructure, data processing, biometrics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, technology investment, and digital services involving Israeli state institutions or occupied territories.

Enterprise Technology Stack & Vendor Relationships

Corporate ownership and governance

On 18 October 2022, Abu Dhabi’s Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs transferred full ownership of Etihad Aviation Group to ADQ, an Abu Dhabi investment and holding company. The transfer followed the restructuring of aviation-support activities within ADQ’s portfolio.¹

Etihad’s reported 2025 financial results identify Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa as chairman and Antonoaldo Neves as chief executive officer. The company’s reported profit after tax for 2025 was AED 2.6 billion.²

Passenger-service and airline retailing systems

On 14 September 2021, Amadeus announced a multi-year agreement to supply Etihad with the Altéa Passenger Service System, including reservations, passenger servicing, departure control, data management, merchandising and revenue-management capabilities. The agreement also included Amadeus Digital Experience and Altéa NDC technologies.³

On 8 March 2023, Etihad completed its migration to Amadeus Altéa. Etihad’s official completion announcement reported that the programme transferred more than 100 IT processes and involved training more than 6,000 staff. The system supported flight operations across Etihad’s international network.⁴

Etihad’s March 2023 completion announcement confirmed that the Amadeus Altéa system was live and supported flight bookings, check-in and other passenger services. This establishes the replacement of the airline’s earlier primary passenger-service environment.⁵

Etihad and Sabre renewed their technology agreement in September 2021. The disclosed scope included Fares Optimizer, Network Planning and Optimization, scheduling, revenue management, cargo technology and Inflight solutions.⁶

In June 2024, Etihad agreed to distribute New Distribution Capability content through Sabre-connected channels. The arrangement covered agency access through APIs, Sabre Red 360 and GetThere, with an initial rollout in Oman and Bahrain.⁷

A 2013 industry report documented Etihad’s earlier migration to SabreSonic Customer Sales and Service under a technology programme valued at approximately $1 billion. This is historical evidence of enterprise integration; the primary passenger-service function subsequently migrated to Amadeus in 2023.⁸

Technology outsourcing and systems integration

In October 2015, Etihad and IBM announced a ten-year technology-services collaboration valued at approximately $700 million. The disclosed programme concerned cloud technology, infrastructure, security, operational efficiency and services for Etihad and associated businesses. [pre-2020; the original contract period extended toward 2025, but its present contractual status was not independently established.]⁹

IBM subsequently documented Etihad’s implementation of a cloud-based check-in platform using IBM Cloud, Kubernetes and IBM NextGen Common Travel Services. The implementation involved more than 12 major check-in systems and 18 existing backend integrations, with three IBM Cloud environments across two regions.¹⁰

An earlier IBM case study documented deployment of Microsoft Power BI using an on-premises Microsoft SQL Server data warehouse and an on-premises data gateway. IBM described an architecture in which the underlying warehouse data remained on premises while cloud-based Power BI capabilities supported executive reporting. [Pre-2020 implementation; current architecture not independently confirmed.]¹¹

Israeli-origin enterprise software

No public evidence identified establishing direct Etihad licensing, subscriptions or production integrations involving Check Point, Wiz, CyberArk, SentinelOne, NICE, Verint, Claroty, Palo Alto Networks or comparable Israeli-origin cybersecurity and enterprise-software vendors.

No public evidence identified establishing that Amadeus, Sabre, IBM or Microsoft deployed a specifically identified Israeli-origin technology product within Etihad’s systems.

Technology dependency

The 2023 Amadeus migration placed Altéa within Etihad’s core reservation and passenger-service operations, while the separately documented Sabre relationship included network planning, pricing and distribution technology.^{4, 6, 7}

The IBM and Microsoft disclosures establish substantial use of cloud, analytics, application integration and data-platform technology. The disclosures do not identify an Israeli-origin component within those specific Etihad implementations.^{10, 12}

Surveillance, Biometrics & Retail Technology

Passenger biometrics

In July 2024, Abu Dhabi’s government announced an expansion of its Smart Travel biometric programme, undertaken by Abu Dhabi Airports and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security. The announcement confirmed that Etihad and Abu Dhabi Airports had implemented biometric systems at multiple Zayed International Airport touchpoints following the terminal’s November 2023 opening.¹³

The disclosed applications included automated traveller registration, self-service baggage delivery, facial-recognition verification at electronic gates and biometric boarding. The government announcement also described planned expansion to additional airlines and airport facilities.¹³

Employee biometrics

In November 2020, Etihad and SITA announced a trial of facial-biometric check-in for cabin crew at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The system was designed to authenticate employees and enable completion of pre-flight administrative and safety procedures through mobile devices.¹⁴

The trial announcement establishes a workforce identity-verification application. No public evidence identified establishing that the particular system used technology supplied by an Israeli-origin biometric or surveillance company.¹⁴

Israeli-origin surveillance technology

No public evidence identified of Etihad deploying facial-recognition or retail-analytics systems supplied by Trigo, BriefCam, AnyVision/Oosto, Trax or comparable Israeli-origin vendors.

No public evidence identified of Etihad using Israeli-origin predictive-policing, sentiment-analysis, social-media-monitoring or workforce-surveillance products.

No public evidence identified of Israeli-origin surveillance technology reaching Etihad through a named third-party managed service or bundled software deployment.

Data exposure

The airport biometric programme establishes processing of passenger identity and facial-verification information within the Abu Dhabi airport environment. The public government announcement does not identify every processor, data-hosting location, retention period or international transfer arrangement.¹³

No public evidence identified establishing that Etihad passenger or employee biometric data is stored, routed or processed under Israeli jurisdiction.

Cloud Infrastructure, Data Residency & Sovereign Cloud Participation

Microsoft Azure

On 19 October 2022, Etihad announced an enterprise data-platform modernisation undertaken with Microsoft. The programme used Microsoft’s UAE-based cloud regions and services including Azure Databricks, Azure Synapse, Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Lake, Event Hub, Azure Cosmos DB and Microsoft Purview.¹²

The disclosed system supports data ingestion, processing, storage, analytics and governance across Etihad business functions. Microsoft described the programme as an enterprise-wide data-as-a-product initiative.¹²

This announcement provides affirmative evidence of UAE-region cloud deployment for the described enterprise data platform. It does not establish the location of every passenger, payment, loyalty, identity or operational dataset processed across Etihad’s wider technology estate.¹²

IBM Cloud

IBM described an Etihad web-check-in platform built around IBM Cloud Kubernetes Service and IBM NextGen Common Travel Services. The disclosed architecture used microservices, APIs, reusable components and multiple cloud environments to support check-in and related customer journeys.¹⁰

IBM stated that the platform used three cloud environments across two regions with active and standby arrangements. The case study does not identify those regions as Israeli facilities.¹⁰

On-premises data infrastructure

IBM’s earlier Power BI case study described a Microsoft SQL Server warehouse located in Etihad data centres, connected to Microsoft Azure-based reporting services through an on-premises gateway. [Pre-2020 implementation; current status unknown.]¹¹

Government cloud and Israeli data centres

No public evidence identified of Etihad operating, leasing or colocating data-centre infrastructure in Israel.

No public evidence identified of Etihad holding a Project Nimbus contract, participating as a named supplier in Israeli government cloud procurement, or supplying sovereign cloud infrastructure to Israeli state institutions.

No public evidence identified of Etihad providing data-residency, digital-sovereignty or infrastructure-resilience services to Israeli military or intelligence agencies.

Data-sovereignty limitations

The publicly documented Microsoft implementation identifies UAE cloud regions, while the IBM disclosures identify cloud and on-premises architectures without providing a complete present-day map of Etihad’s data-processing jurisdictions.^{10, 11, 12}

No public evidence identified establishing an Israeli legal-access nexus for the documented Etihad enterprise data platform.

Defence, Intelligence & Security Sector Technology Relationships

Israeli aviation-sector cooperation

In November 2020, Etihad and Israeli airline El Al signed a memorandum of understanding covering potential codeshare arrangements and cooperation in cargo, engineering, loyalty programmes and training facilities. The announcement concerned commercial aviation cooperation.¹⁵

In January 2021, Israeli business publication Globes reported an agreement allowing Israir pilots to train on Etihad’s Airbus A320 simulator in Abu Dhabi, using Israir’s own training personnel.¹⁶

These disclosures identify Israeli commercial-airline counterparties and aviation-service arrangements. Neither report identifies a contract for Israeli military surveillance, intelligence infrastructure or offensive cybersecurity technology.^{15, 16}

Military and intelligence contracts

No public evidence identified of Etihad providing enterprise technology, telecommunications systems, data hosting, cybersecurity or analytics services to the Israeli Ministry of Defence, Israel Defence Forces, intelligence agencies or other Israeli state-security organisations.

No public evidence identified of Etihad supplying general-purpose digital infrastructure to Israeli military or intelligence customers.

Dual-use technology

The documented airline reservation, cloud, analytics, biometric and simulator technologies have civilian aviation applications. No public evidence identified connecting the specific Etihad implementations to Israeli military or intelligence operations.^{10, 13, 16}

Offensive cyber and weapons technology

No public evidence identified of Etihad developing, selling, licensing or maintaining offensive cybersecurity tools, zero-day exploits, digital weapons or purpose-built military targeting systems for Israeli state actors.

Occupied territories

No public evidence identified of Etihad supplying surveillance, identity-management or digital infrastructure services to Israeli settlements or military facilities in occupied Palestinian territories.

AI, Algorithmic & Autonomous Systems

Commercial AI and machine learning

Etihad’s September 2021 agreement with Amadeus envisaged machine-learning-enabled retailing capabilities, including personalised travel offers and advanced airline merchandising.³

In November 2021, Microsoft announced a sustainability-focused partnership with Etihad involving advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to measure environmental performance and identify potential carbon-efficiency improvements.¹⁷

Etihad’s October 2022 enterprise data-platform announcement identified Azure analytics and data-processing technologies supporting intelligence, automation and governance across business functions.¹²

Commercial pricing and optimisation

Sabre’s September 2021 agreement covered Fares Optimizer and network-planning technology. The disclosed functions included dynamic fare recommendations and operational scheduling optimisation.⁶

Amadeus’s 2025 management review subsequently recorded an Etihad agreement for Professional Services providing dedicated payment-processing capacity. This is a documented commercial technology relationship extending beyond the original 2021 Altéa announcement.¹⁸

AI services to Israeli state institutions

No public evidence identified of Etihad providing machine learning, natural-language processing, computer vision, automated decision support or other general-purpose AI systems to Israeli government, military or intelligence organisations.

Training data

No public evidence identified of Etihad training AI models on intercepted communications, Israeli military surveillance datasets or civilian population data collected in occupied Palestinian territories.

No public evidence identified establishing that the documented Etihad analytics environments transmit AI training datasets to Israeli-controlled infrastructure.

Autonomous systems

No public evidence identified of Etihad providing autonomous target generation, military object tracking, automated threat identification or weapons-control systems to Israeli security forces.

No public evidence identified of Etihad developing purpose-built kinetic targeting software within the scope of the separate Military domain.

Technology Ecosystem & R&D Footprint

Israeli travel-technology accelerator

On 29 November 2020, CTech reported that Etihad had joined OnBoard, a travel-technology accelerator organised by Israeli investment company Arieli Capital. Booking.com and Amadeus were also identified as programme partners.¹⁹

The programme was intended to connect travel-industry businesses with technology startups developing services for aviation, tourism and related sectors. Contemporaneous reporting described proposed support packages of approximately $250,000 for participating startups.¹⁹

Arieli Capital’s earlier 2 November 2020 announcement establishes the programme’s planned launch and Israel-based travel-technology event, including participation by aviation, tourism and technology organisations. The announcement predates the independently reported Etihad participation.²⁰

The identified Israeli-sector connection is programme participation. No public evidence identified establishing that Etihad acquired equity in an OnBoard participant, purchased a named Israeli startup’s software or integrated an Israeli startup’s technology into production operations.

No public evidence identified confirming continued Etihad participation in OnBoard after the original 2020–2021 programme period.

Hub71 technology ecosystem

In March 2021, Etihad announced cooperation with Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 technology ecosystem. The arrangement included supporting startups, discounted travel, mentorship and opportunities to explore aviation-related technical solutions.²¹

Contemporaneous reporting stated that Hub71’s startup community included companies originating from Israel alongside companies from other countries. This establishes exposure to a multinational innovation ecosystem but does not independently establish a direct Etihad contract with an individual Israeli startup.²¹

Earlier accelerator programme

In February 2019, Etihad was named as a partner in a Plug and Play travel and hospitality accelerator programme in Abu Dhabi, alongside Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Department of Culture and Tourism. [pre-2020; subsequent status not established.]²²

No public evidence identified establishing that an Israeli-origin company received an Etihad production contract through this particular accelerator.

Israeli R&D facilities

No public evidence identified of Etihad operating engineering laboratories, software-development offices, research facilities or corporate accelerators physically located in Israel.

The 2020 OnBoard partnership identifies participation in an Israeli-organised programme but does not establish a permanent Etihad office or directly operated R&D facility in Israel.¹⁹

Acquisitions and investments

No public evidence identified of Etihad acquiring an Israeli technology company or taking a disclosed equity position in an Israeli cybersecurity, AI, surveillance or defence-technology startup.

No public evidence identified establishing that Etihad’s chairman, CEO or other identified controlling principals made relevant personal investments attributable to Etihad under the investigation’s controlling-principal criteria.

Intellectual property

No public evidence identified of Etihad holding a jointly developed technology patent, substantial licensing arrangement or formal research agreement with Technion, Hebrew University, Weizmann Institute or another Israeli research institution.

Civil Society Scrutiny & Regulatory History

UN and international reporting

The United Nations Human Rights Council’s 2025 report A/HRC/59/23, published under the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, addresses corporate involvement in the economy associated with Israeli occupation and military operations. The report provides sector-wide context for examining cloud infrastructure, surveillance and military-linked technology relationships.²³

A United Nations Human Rights Council transcript concerning subsequent OHCHR settlement-business database work describes an assessment of 215 enterprises, with 158 found to meet the applicable involvement criteria during the assessment period. The database concerns defined settlement-related business activities.²⁴

No public evidence identified in the material reviewed establishing that Etihad Airways, Etihad Aviation Group or ADQ was specifically named in the OHCHR settlement-business database or in A/HRC/59/23 as a provider of Israeli surveillance, military or government-cloud technology.

No public evidence identified of a specialist investigation by Who Profits, AFSC Investigate, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Access Now, Citizen Lab, Al-Haq or SOMO specifically documenting Etihad technology provision to Israeli state-security agencies or settlement infrastructure.

Technology-sector relationship identified in public reporting

CTech’s November 2020 reporting establishes the publicly announced participation of Etihad in Arieli Capital’s Israeli travel-technology accelerator, providing a specific documented technology-sector connection independent of broader diplomatic and airline relations.¹⁹

Boycott and divestment campaigns

No public evidence identified of an organised boycott or divestment campaign specifically directed at Etihad’s provision of digital technology to Israeli military, intelligence or settlement entities.

No public evidence identified of a documented corporate response by Etihad to a technology-provision-specific boycott allegation.

Regulatory and legal proceedings

No public evidence identified of export-control proceedings, sanctions investigations, regulatory enforcement actions or court judgments concerning Etihad’s provision of cybersecurity, cloud, surveillance, AI or biometric technology to Israeli state institutions.

Constructive-notice chronology

The identified Israeli accelerator relationship was announced in November 2020. No public evidence identified establishing that this particular relationship continued after 19 July 2024 or after the ICC arrest warrants issued in November 2024.¹⁹

Etihad’s documented 2024 Sabre distribution relationship and the 2025 Amadeus Professional Services engagement establish continuing commercial aviation-technology activity, but the cited disclosures do not identify an Israeli state, military or settlement recipient.^{7, 18}

Settlement nexus

No public evidence identified of Etihad digital products, software services, passenger-data systems or technology partnerships being supplied specifically to Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.