ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways will commence year-round flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport starting on Oct. 4, 2026. Initially, the airline plans to operate one flight per week, increasing to two weekly services from Oct. 25. This new route will make Red Sea International the sixth destination in Saudi Arabia on Etihad’s network and introduce another nonstop link from the UAE capital to Saudi Arabia.
An Airbus A320 will operate the route, equipped with eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats, totaling 158 seats on each scheduled flight. The travel time from Abu Dhabi to Red Sea International is expected to be just over three hours. Etihad has already opened bookings, enabling passengers across its network to connect through Zayed International Airport to reach the Saudi Red Sea coast.
Currently, Etihad serves Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim in Saudi Arabia. The addition of Red Sea International will expand its network to include a destination centered on coastal and resort tourism. Throughout the year, passengers also travel to Saudi Arabia for business, family visits, and religious reasons. The airline noted that travelers from Gulf countries and the Indian subcontinent can reach this new destination with a single connection via Abu Dhabi.
Red Sea International broadens regional flight options
Red Sea International Airport, which began domestic flights in September 2023 and received its first international service in April 2024, later added a direct Doha connection in October 2025. Developed by Red Sea Global, the airport serves as the gateway to The Red Sea tourism area on Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast, featuring islands, coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and mountainous regions with resorts spread along the coast 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 Airport enhances access to resorts across The Red Sea development, with daa International managing operations. Travelers can continue from the terminal by electric vehicle, boat, or seaplane, and the airport’s operations on the airside are powered by renewable energy, including lighting and navigation systems for arriving and departing aircraft.
Etihad Adds a New Saudi Destination
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves highlighted that the new route provides quick access to the Red Sea’s islands and reefs from Abu Dhabi, with services planned year-round rather than seasonally. The airline’s scheduled increase from one to two weekly flights will begin three weeks after the initial service. This route will also connect Red Sea International with Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi and its wider international network.
The first flight by Etihad to Red Sea International is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2026, with bookings already available. The twice-weekly flights will start on Oct. 25 using the same Airbus A320 layout. With this launch, Etihad will serve six destinations in Saudi Arabia and include the Red Sea coast in its regional offerings, providing a direct air connection between Abu Dhabi and one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.