Etihad Airways is preparing to launch direct services between Abu Dhabi and Red Sea International Airport, providing a significant new international gateway to Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coastline.
The three-hour route will begin on 4 October 2026 with one flight each Sunday. From 25 October, the service will increase to twice weekly, operating on Thursdays and Sundays.
The partnership between Etihad Airways and Red Sea Global is particularly important because of Abu Dhabi’s role as a major international aviation hub. It will enable travellers from across Europe, Asia, Australia and other parts of the Etihad network to reach The Red Sea with a single connection.
For luxury travel advisors, the service provides a practical new alternative to connections through Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai or Doha.
From Abu Dhabi to the beach in an afternoon
The outbound flight will leave Zayed International Airport at 09:55 and arrive at Red Sea International Airport at 12:05 local time. This timetable means guests can depart Abu Dhabi in the morning and reach their resort during the early afternoon.
The return service will leave The Red Sea at 14:00 and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 18:05 local time.
“The Red Sea is quickly establishing itself as one of the world’s most exciting luxury tourism destinations,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global.
“This partnership with Etihad Airways significantly expands access to The Red Sea by connecting the destination to one of the world’s leading airline networks.”
Pagano said improved international connectivity would help the destination attract visitors from key markets as its portfolio of resorts and experiences continues to expand.
A short flight to a long-haul experience
Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves positioned The Red Sea as a destination offering the type of island, reef and relaxation experience travellers would normally expect to reach via a much longer journey.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The route has been established with the involvement of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Saudi Air Connectivity Program and daa International, which operates Red Sea International Airport.
A rapidly expanding destination
The Red Sea currently has 11 resorts open across its islands, coastline and desert landscapes. These include Six Senses Southern Dunes, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and Four Seasons Resort and Residences.
A further six resorts are expected to open in the coming months, adding to the destination’s appeal for luxury travellers, honeymooners, families and visitors seeking nature-based and wellness experiences.
Red Sea International Airport currently handles approximately 20 domestic and international flights each week, with connections from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai, Doha and Milan.
The addition of Abu Dhabi further diversifies access to the destination while connecting it to Etihad’s extensive global network.
For international travel advisors, this is more than the launch of another regional route. It makes The Red Sea significantly easier to package as a standalone holiday or as part of a wider Gulf itinerary combining Saudi Arabia with Abu Dhabi and other regional destinations.
Etihad’s flights between Abu Dhabi and Red Sea International Airport are now available to book.
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