ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to commence year-round flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport starting on Oct. 4, 2026. Initially, the airline will operate one flight per week, but from Oct. 25, this will increase to twice weekly services. This new route will position Red Sea International as the sixth Saudi destination in Etihad’s network, offering an additional nonstop link from the UAE capital to Saudi Arabia.
An Airbus A320 will serve the route, 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 is expected to take just over three hours. Bookings for the route are already open, enabling passengers within Etihad’s network to connect via Zayed International Airport to reach the Saudi Red Sea coast.
Currently, Etihad services include Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina and Al Qassim in Saudi Arabia. The addition of Red Sea International will broaden this network to encompass a destination focused on coastal tourism and resorts. Throughout the year, the airline also facilitates travel to Saudi Arabia for business, religious, and family visits. Customers from markets across the Gulf and Indian subcontinent can reach the new destination via a single connection through Abu Dhabi.
Red Sea International broadens regional flight options
Red Sea International Airport launched domestic operations in September 2023 and hosted its first international flight in April 2024. An additional direct route to Doha was introduced in October 2025. Developed by Red Sea Global, the airport serves as the main entry point for visitors to The Red Sea, a tourism region situated on Saudi Arabia’s northwest coast. The area boasts islands, coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and mountain landscapes, with resorts distributed along the coast and on islands.
The airport, managed by daa International, is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote tourism through the Red Sea development. Travelers can reach resorts via electric vehicles, boats, or seaplanes departing from the terminal. Red Sea Global emphasizes that the airport operates on renewable energy, supporting essential functions such as lighting and navigation for arriving and departing aircraft.
Etihad expands its Saudi network with sixth destination
According to Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves, the new route offers travelers quick access to the islands and reefs of the Red Sea within a short flight from Abu Dhabi. The airline plans to operate the service year-round, rather than seasonally. Its scheduled increase from one to two weekly flights will occur three weeks after the inaugural flight. The route will also strengthen the link between Red Sea International and Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub, connecting it to the airline’s extensive global network.
The inaugural flight from Etihad to Red Sea International is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2026, with bookings currently available. The twice-weekly service will commence on Oct. 25, utilizing the same Airbus A320 configuration. With this launch, Etihad will serve six destinations across Saudi Arabia, adding the Red Sea coast to its regional route map. The new service provides a direct flight connection between Abu Dhabi and one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.