ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways plans to launch year-round flights connecting Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport starting on Oct. 4, 2026. The airline will initially operate one flight per week, increasing to twice weekly beginning Oct. 25. This new route will mark Red Sea International as Etihad’s sixth Saudi destination, enhancing direct connectivity from the UAE capital to the kingdom.
For this route, Etihad will deploy an Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats, totaling 158 seats per flight. The scheduled travel time from Abu Dhabi to Red Sea International is slightly over three hours. Bookings are already open, enabling passengers from across Etihad’s extensive network to connect through Zayed International Airport to reach the Saudi Red Sea coast.
Currently, Etihad serves Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim in Saudi Arabia. The addition of Red Sea International broadens the airline’s network to include a destination that emphasizes coastal and resort tourism. Throughout the year, passengers also use Etihad for business, family, and religious travel to Saudi Arabia. The airline highlighted that travelers from the Gulf and Indian subcontinent can reach this new destination via a single connection through Abu Dhabi.
Red Sea International boosts regional air connectivity
Red Sea International Airport commenced domestic flights in September 2023 and launched its first international service in April 2024. In October 2025, the airport added a direct connection to Doha. Developed by Red Sea Global, the airport serves as the gateway to The Red Sea tourism destination along Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast, which features islands, coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and mountainous areas, with resorts located on coastal and island sites.
Red Sea Global, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is also behind the development of AMAALA, another tourism project. The company states that Red Sea International facilitates access to resorts within The Red Sea development. daa International manages the airport, allowing travelers to transfer from the terminal by electric vehicle, boat, or seaplane. The airport’s operations on the airside are powered by renewable energy, supporting essential lighting and navigation systems used by arriving and departing aircraft.
Etihad’s expansion to include sixth Saudi destination
According to Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves, the new route provides quick access for travelers to the islands and reefs of the Red Sea from Abu Dhabi. Unlike seasonal services, the airline intends to operate flights throughout the year. The scheduled increase from one to two weekly flights will take effect three weeks after the initial service begins. This route will also link Red Sea International with Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi and its broader global network.
The inaugural flight from Etihad to Red Sea International is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2026, with bookings already available. The twice-weekly flights will commence on Oct. 25, using the same Airbus A320 configuration. With this launch, Etihad will serve six destinations within Saudi Arabia and expand its regional network to include the Red Sea coast. The new service will establish a direct air link between Abu Dhabi and one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.