ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways will commence year-round flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast starting on Oct. 4, 2026. This route will link Zayed International Airport to Red Sea International Airport located in Tabuk Province. Initially, the airline will operate one flight per week, increasing to two weekly services beginning on Oct. 25. The flight duration will be slightly over three hours, adding a new Saudi destination to Etihad’s existing network.
The service will be operated using an Airbus A320 configured with eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats. According to Etihad, travelers from various parts of its network will be able to reach the Red Sea with just a single connection in Abu Dhabi, including passengers arriving from the Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent. Tickets are already available through Etihad’s booking platform for departures starting from the launch date. This new route extends the airline’s Saudi network, which already includes Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim.
The new connection links Abu Dhabi directly with a Saudi coastal destination that has seen an increase in scheduled flights since its opening. Red Sea International Airport began domestic operations in 2023 and introduced international flights in 2024. Qatar Airways started servicing the airport from Doha in October 2025, following flydubai’s launch of its first international flight from Dubai in April 2024. The airport was developed by Red Sea Global as the primary gateway to The Red Sea destination.
Route broadens Etihad’s Saudi network
Situated along Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast, the Red Sea destination features islands, reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and inland mountains. Red Sea Global reports that the broader area began welcoming visitors in 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 aviation hub for The Red Sea development, utilizing renewable energy sources for its airside operations, including essential lighting and navigation systems.
Currently, Etihad’s Saudi network includes Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim, with Red Sea International Airport set to be the sixth destination. The airline considers Saudi Arabia one of its largest regional markets, with regular traffic driven by business, family, and religious travelers throughout the year. The new Red Sea route introduces a leisure destination to this network while maintaining Abu Dhabi as the central hub. According to Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves, the route positions islands and reefs within a short flight from Abu Dhabi.
New Gulf link adds to airport’s direct connections
Red Sea Global developed and delivered Red Sea International Airport, with daa International operating it. Domestic flights began in September 2023, with the first international service from Dubai launching in April 2024. Subsequently, airlines expanded scheduled flights, adding more routes to the airport. The developer highlights that the airport mainly serves tourists traveling to resorts along the coast, with transfer options including electric vehicles, boats, or seaplanes to reach individual resorts.
The inaugural Abu Dhabi to Red Sea International flight operated by Etihad is scheduled for Oct. 4, with the twice-weekly schedule starting three weeks later. Bookings for the route are already available on Etihad’s website. The aircraft will be configured with 158 seats per flight, based on the planned Airbus A320 layout. The airline intends to operate this route throughout the year without seasonal restrictions. With this launch, Etihad will establish another nonstop link connecting the United Arab Emirates to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline.