ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to commence year-round flights from Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea region starting on Oct. 4, 2026. This new route will connect Zayed International Airport with Red Sea International Airport located in Tabuk Province. Initially, the airline will operate one flight each week, then increase to two weekly services from Oct. 25. The flight duration will be just over three hours, making it the sixth Saudi destination in Etihad’s route network.
The airline will utilize an Airbus A320 aircraft configured with eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats for this route. According to Etihad, passengers from across its network can access the Red Sea region via a single connection in Abu Dhabi. This includes travelers arriving from markets throughout the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent. Tickets for the new service are currently available through Etihad’s booking platform, with travel dates aligned with the launch. The route complements existing Saudi destinations like Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim in Etihad’s Saudi network.
The new flight service directly links Abu Dhabi with a coastal Saudi destination that has been expanding its air connectivity since opening. Red Sea International Airport began operating domestically in 2023 and introduced international flights in 2024. Qatar Airways started servicing the airport from Doha in October 2025, following flydubai’s launch of its first international route from Dubai in April 2024. The airport was developed by Red Sea Global as the primary aviation hub for The Red Sea project.
Route broadens Etihad’s presence across Saudi Arabia
Situated along Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coastline, the Red Sea destination features islands, reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and inland mountainous terrains. Red Sea Global indicates that the area started welcoming visitors in 2023. As a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, the company is responsible for developing The Red Sea and AMAALA tourism projects. Red Sea International Airport is the main air gateway to The Red Sea development, utilizing renewable energy sources for its airside operations, including key lighting and navigation systems.
The airline’s existing Saudi network includes Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim, with Red Sea International now set to become its sixth destination. Etihad describes Saudi Arabia as one of its largest regional markets, with consistent traffic from business, family, and religious travelers throughout the year. The addition of the Red Sea route introduces a leisure destination to the network while maintaining Abu Dhabi as the hub for connections. Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves remarked that the route brings islands and reefs within a short flight distance from Abu Dhabi.
New route enhances Gulf connectivity through the airport
The airport serving the Red Sea coast was developed and delivered by Red Sea Global, with daa International handling its operations. Domestic flights commenced in September 2023, with international services from Dubai starting in April 2024. As airlines expanded scheduled flights to the destination, the airport saw additional connections. The developer states that the airport caters to visitors heading to resorts along the coast, with transfer options including electric vehicles, boats, or seaplanes to reach various resort areas.
The inaugural Abu Dhabi to Red Sea International flight by Etihad is scheduled for Oct. 4, with a twice-weekly schedule beginning three weeks later. Bookings are currently available on Etihad’s website. The Airbus A320 will offer 158 seats per flight, and the airline intends to operate the route year-round without any announced seasonal end date. This service marks another direct connection between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast.