Etihad Airways will launch year-round flights from Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport on October 4, 2026, adding a new leisure destination to its network.
The route, initially
operating once weekly before increasing to twice weekly from October 25, will
be served by an Airbus A320 with eight Business Class and 150 Economy seats.
The flight takes just
over three hours, offering direct access to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast and
its secluded resorts, coral reefs, turquoise lagoons and diverse marine life.
The destination also
provides access to nearby mountains, lava fields and desert landscapes.
The new service will
enable passengers across Etihad’s network to reach the Red Sea via Abu Dhabi,
while international travellers can combine the trip with an Abu Dhabi stopover.
The Red Sea becomes
Etihad’s sixth destination in Saudi Arabia, expanding the airline’s presence
beyond business, family and religious travel into the growing leisure market.
Antonoaldo Neves,
Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said: “The kind of holiday
people normally take a long-haul flight for - islands, reefs and relaxation -
is now a short flight from Abu Dhabi and a single connection from anywhere
across our network. We are always looking ahead to where our guests will want
to travel next and making sure we are there early. The Red Sea is exactly that
kind of destination, and it is an easy one to reach: the holiday starts on the
day guests arrive, not the day after.” -TradeArabia News Service
