Etihad expands Saudi footprint with new direct route to The Red Sea
Etihad
The flight of around 3 hours will commence from Abu Dhabi on Oct 4 with 1 flight weekly and will increase to 2 flights weekly starting Oct 25. The route is operated by the Airbus A320 with eight seats in Business and 150 in Economy.
Etihad has announced a strategic expansion of its Middle Eastern network with the launch of year-round flights to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, commencing October 4, 2026. Connecting via Abu Dhabi, the new service introduces a high-end leisure destination to the airline's regional portfolio, offering seamless access to Red Sea International Airport (RSI) for global travel trade partners and leisure travellers.
The flight of around 3 hours will commence from Abu Dhabi with 1 flight weekly and will increase to 2 flights weekly starting October 25, 2026. The route is operated by the Airbus A320 with eight seats in Business and 150 in Economy.
Guests across Etihad's network can reach The Red Sea with a single connection in Abu Dhabi, including from across the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent, in any season as the route operates year-round. The new route also opens an easy two-destination holiday. Through Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Stopover programme, guests can spend a few days discovering the UAE capital’s islands, beaches, culture and entertainment before continuing to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast.
The Red Sea is Etihad's sixth destination in Saudi Arabia, alongside Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina and Al Qassim. Saudi Arabia is among the airline's largest markets in the region, carrying business, family and religious travel throughout the year, and The Red Sea adds a holiday destination to that mix.
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.”
