ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways will commence year-round flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport starting October 4, 2026. Initially, the airline will operate a single weekly flight, increasing to two services per week beginning October 25. This new route will position Red Sea International as the sixth Saudi destination in Etihad’s network, enhancing direct connectivity between the UAE capital and Saudi Arabia.
The service will be operated using an Airbus A320, featuring eight seats in Business Class and 150 in Economy Class, totaling 158 seats per flight. Flight durations between Abu Dhabi and Red Sea International are expected to be just over three hours. Bookings for this route are already open, providing travelers across Etihad’s extensive network the opportunity to connect via Zayed International Airport to the Saudi Red Sea coast.
Currently, Etihad serves Saudi Arabia’s major cities including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim. The addition of Red Sea International expands the airline’s network to a destination geared toward coastal leisure and resort tourism. Throughout the year, Etihad also transports passengers for business, familial, and religious purposes. Customers from the Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent will be able to reach this new destination via a single connection through Abu Dhabi.
Regional Air Connectivity Boosted by Red Sea International
Red Sea International Airport, which started domestic operations in September 2023, welcomed its first international flight in April 2024. In October 2025, the airport launched a direct service to Doha. Developed by Red Sea Global, the facility serves as the aviation gateway to The Red Sea tourism zone on Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast. This area features islands, coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and mountain landscapes, with resorts distributed along the coast and on islands.
Red Sea Global, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is also behind the development of the AMAALA tourism project. The company emphasizes that Red Sea International supports access to resorts throughout The Red Sea development. daa International manages the airport, while travelers can continue their journey via electric vehicle, boat, or seaplane from the terminal. The airport’s operations are powered by renewable energy, which supplies essential lighting and navigation systems for arriving and departing aircraft, according to Red Sea Global.
Etihad’s Expansion to a Sixth Saudi Destination
Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves highlighted that the new route offers quick access to the islands and reefs of the Red Sea from Abu Dhabi. The airline plans to operate the service year-round, rather than seasonally. The increase from one to two weekly flights will begin three weeks after the inaugural service. This route will also link Red Sea International with Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi and the wider international network.
The airline’s first flight to Red Sea International remains scheduled for October 4, 2026, with booking options already available. The twice-weekly service will start on October 25, utilizing the same Airbus A320 aircraft configuration. With this launch, Etihad will serve six destinations within Saudi Arabia and include the Red Sea coast in its regional route map. The new connection will establish a direct flight link between Abu Dhabi and one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.