ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to launch year-round flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport beginning on Oct. 4, 2026. The airline will initially operate one flight per week, increasing to two weekly services starting from Oct. 25. This new route will mark Red Sea International as the sixth Saudi destination in Etihad’s route network, providing an additional nonstop link from the UAE capital to Saudi Arabia.
The aircraft deployed on this route will be an Airbus A320, equipped with eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats, totaling 158 seats per flight. The estimated travel time from Abu Dhabi to Red Sea International is just over three hours. Bookings for this service are already open, offering passengers within Etihad’s extensive network the opportunity to connect through Zayed International Airport to reach the Saudi Red Sea coast.
Presently, Etihad serves five Saudi cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim. With the addition of Red Sea International, the airline expands its network to a destination primarily centered on coastal and resort tourism. Throughout the year, passengers also utilize Etihad for business, family, and religious journeys to Saudi Arabia. The airline highlighted that travelers from the Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent can reach the new destination with a single connection via Abu Dhabi.
Red Sea International broadens regional air connectivity
Red Sea International Airport, which began domestic operations in September 2023, welcomed its first international flight in April 2024. The airport further expanded its international reach with a direct Doha route introduced in October 2025. Developed by Red Sea Global, the airport serves as the aviation gateway to The Red Sea tourism destination located on Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coastline. This area features islands, coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and mountain terrain, with resorts positioned along the coastlines and 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 facilitates access to resorts within The Red Sea development. daa International operates the airport facilities, while travelers can continue onward from the terminal via electric vehicle, boat, or seaplane. The organization emphasizes that the airport’s operations on the airside are powered by renewable energy, supporting essential lighting and navigation systems for arriving and departing aircraft.
Etihad adds a sixth destination within Saudi Arabia
According to Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves, the new route offers travelers quick access to the islands and reefs of the Red Sea, just a short flight from Abu Dhabi. Unlike seasonal services, the airline has scheduled this route for year-round operation. Following the initial service, the frequency will increase from one to two flights per week, starting three weeks after the launch. This route will also connect Red Sea International with Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi and its wider international network.
The inaugural flight to Red Sea International is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2026, with bookings already available through the airline. The twice-weekly service will commence on Oct. 25, utilizing the same Airbus A320 configuration. With this addition, Etihad now serves six destinations across Saudi Arabia, including the Red Sea coast, thereby enhancing its regional network. This service will offer a direct air link between Abu Dhabi and one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.