ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to commence year-round flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport on Oct. 4, 2026. Initially, the airline will operate one flight per week, increasing to two weekly services starting from Oct. 25. This new route will position Red Sea International as the sixth Saudi destination within Etihad’s network, further expanding direct connections from the UAE capital to Saudi Arabia.
The route will be served by an Airbus A320, configured with eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats, totaling 158 seats per flight. The journey between Abu Dhabi and Red Sea International will take just over three hours. Etihad has already opened reservations for this service, enabling passengers from its broader network to connect via Zayed International Airport to reach the Saudi Red Sea coast.
Currently, Etihad’s Saudi destinations include Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim. The addition of Red Sea International broadens this network to include a focus on coastal and resort tourism. Throughout the year, passengers also fly to Saudi Arabia for business, family visits, and religious journeys. The airline indicated that travelers from the Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent can reach the new destination with a single connection through Abu Dhabi.
Red Sea International broadens regional air connectivity
The airport, Red Sea International, started domestic flights in September 2023 and welcomed its first international service in April 2024. In October 2025, it added a direct connection to Doha. Developed by Red Sea Global, the airport serves as the gateway to The Red Sea tourism destination on Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast. The area includes islands, coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and mountain terrains, with resorts located 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 supports access to resorts across The Red Sea development. daa International manages airport operations, while travelers can move from the terminal by electric vehicle, boat, or seaplane. Red Sea Global emphasizes that the airport operates on renewable energy, powering airside functions such as lighting and navigation systems for arriving and departing aircraft.
Etihad enhances presence in Saudi Arabia with sixth destination
Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves highlighted that the new route offers quick access to the islands and reefs of the Red Sea from Abu Dhabi. The airline plans to operate the service year-round, not seasonally, with a scheduled increase from one to two flights per week just three weeks after the inaugural flight. This route will also connect Red Sea International with Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi and its extensive international network.
The inaugural flight to Red Sea International is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2026, with booking options already available through the airline. The twice-weekly service, beginning on Oct. 25, will be operated with the same Airbus A320 configuration. With this launch, Etihad will serve six Saudi destinations and add the Red Sea coast to its regional offerings. It will provide a direct air link between Abu Dhabi and one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.
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