Etihad Airways is wholly owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi through the ADQ holding company, which serves as a strategic investment vehicle driving economic transformation and diversification for the emirate. Since its establishment by an Amiri Decree, the airline has received substantial financial backing and sovereign support from the Abu Dhabi government to develop the capital into a major global aviation and tourism hub. While it operates with an independent commercial management structure and board of directors, its ultimate ownership rests securely with the state, positioning it as a core national carrier for the United Arab Emirates alongside its regional sister airlines.