ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to launch 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 the frequency will increase to two flights weekly beginning Oct. 25. This new route will make Red Sea International the sixth Saudi destination in Etihad’s route network and will introduce a direct nonstop link from the UAE capital to Saudi Arabia.
For this route, Etihad plans to operate an Airbus A320, equipped with eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats. Each scheduled flight will have a total of 158 seats. The travel time from Abu Dhabi to Red Sea International is expected to be slightly more than three hours. The airline has already opened bookings for the service, enabling passengers from its broader network to connect via Zayed International Airport to reach the Saudi Red Sea coast.
Currently, Etihad offers flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim in Saudi Arabia. The addition of Red Sea International will expand the airline’s network to a destination focused on coastal and resort tourism. Throughout the year, passengers also fly with Etihad to Saudi Arabia for business, family visits, and religious purposes. The airline mentioned that travelers from Gulf markets and the Indian subcontinent can access the new route via a single connection through Abu Dhabi.
Red Sea International broadens regional flight options
Red Sea International Airport started domestic flights in September 2023 and introduced its first international service in April 2024. Later, in October 2025, it added a direct connection to Doha. Developed by Red Sea Global, the airport serves as the main aviation gateway to The Red Sea tourism destination situated on Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast. The area encompasses 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 behind 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 operates the airport, with travelers able to move from the terminal by electric vehicle, boat, or seaplane. Additionally, Red Sea Global reports that the airport’s airside operations rely on renewable energy sources, including lighting and navigation systems essential for arriving and departing aircraft.
Etihad adds a sixth destination in Saudi Arabia
Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves highlighted that the new route offers travelers a quick flight from Abu Dhabi to explore the islands and reefs of the Red Sea. The airline intends to operate this service year-round rather than seasonally. Its plan to increase from one to two weekly flights will take effect three weeks after the initial service launches. The route will also connect Red Sea International with Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi and its wider international network.
The inaugural flight from Etihad to Red Sea International is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2026, with bookings already available through the airline. Starting Oct. 25, the twice-weekly schedule will be maintained using the same Airbus A320 configuration. With this new service, Etihad will serve six destinations within Saudi Arabia and will add the Red Sea coast to its regional route offerings. The route provides a direct air link between Abu Dhabi and one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.