ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to initiate year-round flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport starting October 4, 2026. The airline will initially operate one flight per week, increasing to two weekly services beginning October 25. This new route will establish Red Sea International as the sixth Saudi destination in Etihad’s route network and will expand nonstop connections from the UAE capital to Saudi Arabia.
The airline plans to operate the route using an Airbus A320 aircraft, configured with eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats. Each scheduled flight will have a total of 158 seats. The flight duration from Abu Dhabi to Red Sea International is expected to be just over three hours. Tickets are already available for booking, enabling travelers from Etihad’s broader network to connect through Zayed International Airport to reach Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast.
Currently, Etihad operates flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim. The addition of Red Sea International will diversify the network by offering access to a destination that emphasizes coastal and resort tourism. Throughout the year, passengers also fly to Saudi Arabia for business, family visits, and religious pilgrimages. The airline noted that travelers from Gulf countries and the Indian subcontinent can reach the new Saudi destination via a single connection through Abu Dhabi.
Red Sea International broadens regional flight options
Having started domestic operations in September 2023 and hosting its first international flights in April 2024, Red Sea International Airport later introduced a direct service to Doha in October 2025. Developed by Red Sea Global, the airport serves as the main gateway to The Red Sea, a prominent tourism destination on Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coastline. It features islands, coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and mountain landscapes, with resorts positioned across coastal and island areas.
Red Sea Global, which is part of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is also responsible for the development of the AMAALA tourism project. The company states that Red Sea International Airport facilitates access to resorts within The Red Sea development. daa International manages the airport operations, and travelers can transfer to the terminal via electric vehicles, boats, or seaplanes. According to Red Sea Global, the airport relies on renewable energy sources for its airside activities, including essential lighting and navigation systems supporting arriving and departing aircraft.
Etihad’s Saudi network expansion with sixth destination
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. The airline confirmed that the service will operate year-round, not limited to a seasonal schedule. The planned increase from one to two flights each week is scheduled to occur three weeks after the initial launch. This route will also link Red Sea International with Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi and its extensive international network.
The inaugural Etihad flight to Red Sea International is scheduled for October 4, 2026, with booking options already available. Starting October 25, the twice-weekly schedule will be maintained using the same Airbus A320 configuration. With this launch, Etihad will serve six destinations in Saudi Arabia and expand its regional network to include the Red Sea coast. The new service will offer a direct air link between Abu Dhabi and one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.