ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways plans to initiate year-round flights linking Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport starting on Oct. 4, 2026. Initially, the airline will operate one flight each week, with frequencies increasing to two weekly services beginning Oct. 25. This new route will mark Red Sea International as the sixth Saudi destination in Etihad’s network and will further enhance direct connectivity from the UAE capital to Saudi Arabia.
Operating the route with an Airbus A320, Etihad will provide eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats, totaling 158 seats per flight. The journey from Abu Dhabi to Red Sea International will take just over three hours. The airline has already opened reservations for the route, enabling passengers across its network to connect through Zayed International Airport to reach the Saudi Red Sea coast.
Currently, Etihad serves five Saudi cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim. The addition of Red Sea International broadens its Saudi network, focusing on coastal and resort destinations. Throughout the year, passengers also travel to Saudi Arabia for business, family, and religious reasons. The airline highlighted that travelers from Gulf and Indian subcontinent markets can access the new destination with a single connection via Abu Dhabi.
Regional Connectivity Boosted by Red Sea International Airport
Red Sea International Airport, which commenced domestic flights in September 2023 and welcomed its first international service in April 2024, expanded its operations with a direct Doha route in October 2025. Developed by Red Sea Global, the airport acts as the aviation gateway to The Red Sea tourism region on Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast. This area features islands, coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and mountainous landscapes, with resorts dispersed along coastlines and on islands.
Red Sea Global, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is also responsible for developing the AMAALA tourism project. The company states that Red Sea International supports access to resorts within The Red Sea development. daa International manages the airport, with travelers able to continue their journey by electric vehicle, boat, or seaplane from the terminal. Additionally, Red Sea Global emphasizes that the airport operates on renewable energy, powering essential lighting and navigation systems for arriving and departing aircraft.
Etihad Adds Its Sixth Destination in Saudi Arabia
According to Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves, the new route provides travelers with quick access to the islands and reefs of the Red Sea within a short flight from Abu Dhabi. The airline has committed to year-round operations, rather than seasonal service. The planned frequency increase from one to two flights weekly will commence three weeks after the initial service begins. This route will also link Red Sea International with Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub and its extensive international network.
The inaugural Etihad flight to Red Sea International is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2026, with bookings already available. The twice-weekly flights will start on Oct. 25, utilizing the same Airbus A320 configuration. With this launch, Etihad will serve six destinations within Saudi Arabia and incorporate the Red Sea coast into its regional network, providing a direct air connection between Abu Dhabi and one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.