ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to launch year-round flights connecting Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport starting on Oct. 4, 2026. Initially, the airline will operate one flight per week, increasing to two weekly services from Oct. 25. This new route will position Red Sea International as the sixth destination in Saudi Arabia within Etihad’s network and will strengthen nonstop travel options from the UAE capital to Saudi Arabia.
For this route, Etihad plans to utilize an Airbus A320, equipped with eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats. Each scheduled flight will have a total of 158 seats. The approximate flight duration between Abu Dhabi and Red Sea International is slightly more than three hours. The airline has already opened reservations for the service, enabling travelers from its broader network to connect via Zayed International Airport to the Saudi Red Sea coast.
Currently, Etihad operates flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim in Saudi Arabia. The addition of Red Sea International will expand that network to include a destination centered on coastal tourism and resorts. Throughout the year, passengers also fly with Etihad to Saudi Arabia for business, family visits, and religious reasons. The airline noted that travelers from markets in the Gulf and Indian subcontinent can reach the new destination with a single connection through Abu Dhabi.
Red Sea International broadens regional air connectivity
Having begun domestic services in September 2023, Red Sea International Airport expanded to international flights in April 2024. Its first direct international connection, to Doha, was launched in October 2025. Developed by Red Sea Global, the airport acts as the gateway to the Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea tourism destination, located on the country’s northwestern coast. The area features islands, coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and mountain scenery, with resorts scattered across coastal and island sites.
Red Sea Global, which operates as a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is also behind the AMAALA tourism project. The company states that Red Sea International facilitates 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. Red Sea Global emphasizes that the airport’s operations are powered by renewable energy, including essential lighting and navigation systems supporting arriving and departing aircraft.
Etihad adds a sixth Saudi destination to its network
Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves highlighted that the new route provides quick access to the islands and reefs of the Red Sea within a short flight from Abu Dhabi. Unlike seasonal routes, this service will run throughout the year. The airline’s plan to increase from one to two weekly flights will be implemented three weeks after the initial service begins. This route will also connect Red Sea International with Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub and its extensive international route network.
The inaugural flight from Etihad to Red Sea International is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2026, with reservations now available. The twice-weekly service will commence on Oct. 25 using the same Airbus A320 configuration. With this launch, Etihad will serve six destinations within Saudi Arabia and will include the Red Sea coast in its regional network. The new route will establish a direct air link between Abu Dhabi and one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.