ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to introduce year-round flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast starting October 4, 2026. The route will link Zayed International Airport to Red Sea International Airport in Tabuk Province. Initially, the airline will operate once weekly flights, increasing to twice weekly from October 25. The flight duration will be just over three hours, marking the addition of a sixth Saudi destination within Etihad’s network.
This new route will be operated using an Airbus A320 configured with eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats. According to Etihad, travelers from across its network can access the Red Sea with a single connection in Abu Dhabi. This includes passengers arriving from various markets throughout the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent. Tickets are already available on Etihad’s booking platform for travel starting from the launch date. The route complements existing Saudi destinations like Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim in the airline’s Saudi network.
Connecting Abu Dhabi directly with a Saudi coastal site that has expanded its scheduled flights since opening, this service links to Red Sea International Airport, which began domestic flights in 2023 and added international flights in 2024. Qatar Airways commenced service from Doha to the airport in October 2025, while flydubai launched its first international route from Dubai in April 2024. The airport was developed by Red Sea Global as a key aviation gateway to The Red Sea tourist destination.
Network expansion enhances Etihad’s presence in Saudi Arabia
Situated along Saudi Arabia’s northwest coast, the Red Sea area features islands, reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and inland mountain landscapes. According to Red Sea Global, the broader destination has welcomed visitors since 2023. As a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, the company is responsible for developing The Red Sea and AMAALA tourism projects. Red Sea International Airport serves as the main air link to the development, utilizing renewable energy for its operations, including crucial lighting and navigation systems.
Etihad’s existing Saudi routes include Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim, with Red Sea International Airport set to become the sixth destination. The airline regards Saudi Arabia as one of its largest regional markets, with consistent traffic for business, family, and religious travel throughout the year. The new Red Sea route introduces a leisure destination to the network, maintaining Abu Dhabi as the central hub. According to Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves, the route places islands and reefs within a short flight of Abu Dhabi.
Additional direct Gulf connection established via Red Sea airport
The airport was developed and completed by Red Sea Global, with daa International managing its operations. Domestic flights began in September 2023, followed by the first international service from Dubai in April 2024. As airlines increased scheduled flights to the destination, more routes were added. The airport primarily serves visitors heading to resorts within the coastal development, with transfers available by electric vehicle, boat, or seaplane to individual resorts.
The inaugural Abu Dhabi to Red Sea International flight for Etihad is scheduled for October 4, with its twice-weekly service commencing three weeks later. Bookings for the route are now available on Etihad’s website. The Airbus A320 configuration offers 158 seats per flight. The airline plans for the route to operate throughout the year without a seasonal termination, providing a nonstop connection between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast.